Intense winter storm blows across the US with blizzards and bitter cold

Residents take in the view from atop a gigantic snow pile in front of Central Terminal in Buffalo, New York, on December 29, 2022.

A UPS deliveryman climbs over a snowbank while trying to deliver a package on Forest Avenue in Buffalo, N.Y., on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022.

In this aerial photo, an excavator, center, makes its way up Richmond Avenue in Buffalo, New York, on December 28, 2022. The monster storm that killed dozens in the US over the Christmas weekend continued to inflict misery on New York state and air travelers nationwide, as stories emerged of families trapped for days.

Vehicles drive down Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo. N.Y., on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022. Clean-up efforts remain underway after a blizzard hit four Western New York counties.

National guard members check on residents, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022, in Buffalo N.Y., following a winter storm.

A resident waits for a help starting his car in Buffalo, New York on December 28, 2022. He abandoned the vehicle after getting stuck on Christmas Eve.

US National Guard assist in recovery efforts after a record winter storm in Buffalo, New York, on December 28, 2022.

Matmun Israel walks outside Faithful Stones Church on East Utica Street in Buffalo. N.Y., on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022. Clean-up efforts remain after a blizzard hit four Western New York counties.

In this aerial photo, fallen trees lie on top of the photographer's home after the blizzard in Buffalo, New York, on December 28, 2022.

Residents are seen digging out of the snow in Buffalo, New York, on Dec. 27, 2022. - The monster storm that killed dozens in the United States over the Christmas weekend continued to inflict misery on New York state and air travelers nationwide Tuesday, as stories emerged of families trapped for days during the "blizzard of the century."

A resident digs out of the snow in Buffalo, New York, on Dec. 27, 2022. - The monster storm that killed dozens in the United States over the Christmas weekend continued to inflict misery on New York state and air travelers nationwide Tuesday, as stories emerged of families trapped for days during the "blizzard of the century."

National Grid workers respond to a downed utility pole in Buffalo, New York, on Dec. 27, 2022. - The monster storm that killed dozens in the United States over the Christmas weekend continued to inflict misery on New York state and air travelers nationwide Tuesday, as stories emerged of families trapped for days during the "blizzard of the century."

A vehicle and snowmobiles make their way down a snow-covered street in Buffalo, New York, on Dec. 27, 2022. - The monster storm that killed dozens in the United States over the Christmas weekend continued to inflict misery on New York state and air travelers nationwide Tuesday, as stories emerged of families trapped for days during the "blizzard of the century."

Workers salt and plow the sidewalk in Buffalo, New York, on Dec. 27, 2022. - The monster storm that killed dozens in the United States over the Christmas weekend continued to inflict misery on New York state and air travelers nationwide Tuesday, as stories emerged of families trapped for days during the "blizzard of the century."

The awning of a gas station is seen after it collapsed from high winds during a storm over the weekend in Buffalo, New York, on Dec. 27, 2022. - The monster storm that killed dozens in the United States over the Christmas weekend continued to inflict misery on New York state and air travelers nationwide Tuesday, as stories emerged of families trapped for days during the "blizzard of the century."

Trucks carrying salt make their way to the Buffalo Department of Public Works garage in Buffalo, New York, on Dec. 27, 2022. - The monster storm that killed dozens in the United States over the Christmas weekend continued to inflict misery on New York state and air travelers nationwide Tuesday, as stories emerged of families trapped for days during the "blizzard of the century."

An excavator drives through Buffalo, New York, on Dec. 27, 2022. - The monster storm that killed dozens in the United States over the Christmas weekend continued to inflict misery on New York state and air travelers nationwide Tuesday, as stories emerged of families trapped for days during the "blizzard of the century."

December 26, 2002: The lake at Cherokee Park in Louisville, Kentucky froze over, making an impromptu hockey game possible.

The Rock Harbor jetty is surrounded by snow and ice as the tide rolls in Orleans, Mass on December 26, 2022.

Courtney Beesch snaps a photo of a cold-stunned iguana fell from a tree as temperatures dropped in 40s in West Palm Beach, Florida on Dec. 26, 2022. The low temperature immobilize the cold blooded reptiles until it gets warmer.

Chris Rubsamen catches a wave on Christmas Day in Palm Beach, Florida.

December 22, 2022, at Mitchell Airport in Milwaukee, Wis. Delta, American, United, Frontier, Alaska, Southwest, and other airlines were waiving change fees and offering travelers the option of choosing new flights to avoid the bad weather. According to the National Weather Service, a winter storm watch is in effect Thursday night through Friday night with dangerously cold air and wind gust up to 50 mph. Wind chills could reach 20 to 35 degrees below zero.

Amanda Kelly, originally from California and now living in Columbus, clean off snow and ice from her car on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, on East Town Street in Columbus, OH.

Traffic crept along Market Street in Louisville, KY on Monday, December 26, 2022 as fresh snow blanket the region.

In this drone image, snow blankets a neighborhood, Dec. 25, 2022, in Cheektowaga, N.Y. Millions of people hunkered down against a frigid storm across most of the the United States

A person clears snow as a winter storm rolls through Western New York Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Amherst N.Y. A battering winter storm has knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of homes  homes and businesses across the United States on Saturday. It left millions more to worry about the prospect of further outages and crippled police and fire departments.

Gamaliel Vega tries to dig out his car on Lafayette Avenue after he got stuck in a snowdrift about a block from home while trying to help rescue his cousin, who had lost power and heat with a baby at home across town during a blizzard in Buffalo, N.Y., on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022.

Icicles hang from ornamental plants at sunrise Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Plant City, Fla. Farmers spray their crops with sprinklers to help protect them. Temperatures overnight dipped into the mid-20s.

The Big Four pedestrian bridge was empty on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022. The wind whipped small snow drifts on the

The wind whipped fog along the surface of the Ohio River in Louisville on Friday morning, Dec. 23, 2022, as temperatures hovered just below zero.

Snow and ice accumulated on the railing at Waterfront Park as wind-whipped fog along the surface of the Ohio River in Louisville on Friday morning, Dec. 23, 2022, as temperatures hovered just below zero.

Mona Mason is bundled against the -6 degree temperature on Friday morning, Dec. 23, 2022, as she walks along W. Broadway on her way to work at Taco Bell.

Roberto Diaz clears the sidewalks in front of businesses along W. Main Street on Friday, Dec.23, 2022.

Amanda Kelly, originally from California and now living in Columbus, clean off snow and ice from her car on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, on East Town Street in Columbus, OH.

Nicole Dupont owner of Morty's Munchies Dog Bakery & Boutique clears the snow in front of her store on Front Street in Cuyahoga Falls on Friday.

Mark Dahnke, the grounds superintendent for The First Congregational Church from Grove City, pulls a lawn mower with a snowplow attached to it out of a pile of snow while clearing sidewalks and parking lots in preparation for the church's Bethlehem on Broad Street program on Sunday.

Francisco Erazo uses his snow blower to clear snow on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, in Grand Rapids, Mich. A blizzard warning is in effect for Kent County and the surrounding region. Winter weather is blanketing the U.S. as a massive storm sent temperatures crashing and created whiteout conditions.

Vehicles sit along U.S. 131 north by 84th Street on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, in Byron Center, Mich. A blizzard warning is in effect for Kent County and the surrounding region. Winter weather is blanketing the U.S. as a massive storm sent temperatures crashing and created whiteout conditions.

Snow blows across U.S. Highway 6 as vehicles drive during a blizzard warning, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, in Iowa City, Iowa. Winter weather is blanketing the U.S. as a massive storm sent temperatures crashing and created whiteout conditions.

Burl Jones scrapes ice off a car in the city on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, in Grand Rapids, Mich. A blizzard warning is in effect for Kent County and the surrounding region. Winter weather is blanketing the U.S. as a massive storm sent temperatures crashing and created whiteout conditions.

Blowing snow impairs visibility in rural Linn County, Iowa, on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022. A winter storm brought wind chill values of more than 30 degrees below zero and whiteout conditions to Eastern Iowa.

A Bud's Towing truck clears the pileup scene on U.S. 131 north in Bryon Center, Mich., on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022. A blizzard warning is in effect for Kent County and the surrounding region. Winter weather is blanketing the U.S. as a massive storm sent temperatures crashing and created whiteout conditions.

Kansas City fire department rescue workers work to recover a minivan that went into Brush Creek in Kansas City, Mo., on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022. Police say the driver lost control of the minivan on an icy street, and the vehicle went down an embankment and overturned before submerging in Brush Creek. The driver was pulled from the creek but died later at a hospital.

Bus riders wait at a sheltered stop in Chicago's famed Loop as snow falls and a public service message reminds riders of the winter storm in Chicago on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022.

A resident shovels snow off the end of a driveway, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, in Urbandale, Iowa. Temperatures plunged far and fast Thursday as a winter storm formed ahead of Christmas weekend, promising heavy snow, ice, flooding, and powerful winds across a broad swath of the country and complicating holiday travel.

Pedestrians walk across the Madison Street bridge over the Chicago River as the leading edge of a winter storm begins, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, in Chicago.

Blowing snow obscures the view of Lake Shawnee in Topeka, Kan., Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022.

A person wrapped in a blanket walks on a sidewalk as snow begins to fall Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, in St. Louis.

Nick Evers, of St. Louis, warms himself on steam coming from a manhole cover near Kiener Plaza on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, in St. Louis, Mo.

A truck is filled with road salt as snow begins to fall in Milwaukee on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022.

Pedestrians navigate a snow-covered sidewalk as temperatures hang in the single-digits on Dec. 22, 2022, in Chicago, Illinois. A winter weather system bringing snow, high winds, and sub-zero temperatures has wreaked havoc on a large section of the county in front of the holidays. Strong winds are expected to combine with sub-zero temperatures tomorrow, driving Chicago's wind chill to around -40 degrees.

Pedestrians navigate a snow-covered sidewalk as temperatures hang in the single-digits on Dec. 22, 2022, in Chicago, Illinois. A winter weather system bringing snow, high winds, and sub-zero temperatures has wreaked havoc on a large section of the county in front of the holidays. Strong winds are expected to combine with sub-zero temperatures tomorrow, driving Chicago's wind chill to around -40 degrees.

Pete, a 41-year-old homeless man, stands next to the donated tent near the expressway where he lives as temperatures hang in the single-digits on Dec. 22, 2022, in Chicago, Illinois. A winter weather system bringing snow, high winds, and sub-zero temperatures has wreaked havoc on a large section of the county in front of the holidays. Strong winds are expected to combine with sub-zero temperatures tomorrow, driving Chicago's wind chill to around -40 degrees.

A pedestrian makes their way through the wind and snow across West Wisconsin Avenue at North 6th Street in Milwaukee on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022. A winter storm was expected to dump several inches of snow on the area followed by high winds and temperatures in the single digits.

Traffic moves slowly along College Avenue as snow is cleared due to increasing snowfall making driving conditions slippery Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022 in downtown Appleton, Wis.

Joe Shelley finishes loading 1,200 pounds of salt into his truck, parked in Fishers, Ind., Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, at the start of a major winter event in central Indiana. Shelley said he’s planning to salt eight parking lots tonight, as temperatures plummet from the upper 30s into the negative temperatures.

A Kansas Department of Transportation snow plow truck scrapes away layers of snow and ice from Highway 40 east of Topeka Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022. Temperatures plunged far and fast Thursday as a winter storm formed ahead of Christmas weekend, promising heavy snow, ice, flooding and powerful winds across a broad swath of the country and complicating holiday travel.

Charles Zajicek uses a power sweeper to clear snow off the sidewalk Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, in downtown Minneapolis. Temperatures plunged far and fast Thursday as a winter storm formed ahead of Christmas weekend, promising heavy snow, ice, flooding, and powerful winds across a broad swath of the country and complicating holiday travel.

A local resident shovels snow off the end of a driveway, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, in Urbandale, Iowa.

An accident involving a semi-tractor trailer blocked the eastbound lanes of Interstate 80 in West Des Moines on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, as blizzard conditions impacted much of the state. Temperatures plunged far and fast Thursday as a winter storm formed ahead of Christmas weekend, promising heavy snow, ice, flooding, and powerful winds across a broad swath of the country and complicating holiday travel.

A person waits to cross Burlington Street during a winter storm warning, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, in Iowa City, Iowa. Temperatures plunged far and fast Thursday as a winter storm formed ahead of Christmas weekend, promising heavy snow, ice, flooding, and powerful winds across a broad swath of the country and complicating holiday travel.

Traffic moves as an emergency snow squall were issued by the National Weather Service in Wichita, KS., on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, as snow, plunging temperatures, and high winds made their way through the area. Wind chills well below zero are expected to remain through Friday. Temperatures plunged far and fast Thursday as a winter storm formed ahead of Christmas weekend, promising heavy snow, ice, flooding, and powerful winds across a broad swath of the country and complicating holiday travel.

Snow begins to fall in the city of Hazleton, Pa., as an unidentified person uses an umbrella to shield themselves on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022.

A man clears snow off a sidewalk Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, in Minneapolis.

A dog walker named Courtney walks with her dogs near Lake of the Isles Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, in Minneapolis.

A man carries his dog while walking near Lake of the Isles, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, in Minneapolis.

Cars drive along Burlington Street as snow falls during a blizzard warning, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, in Iowa City, Iowa.

Kids shovel snow off a sidewalk and driveway Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, in Minneapolis.

Traffic and snow maintenance vehicles share the roadway as a traffic sign cautions drivers about the conditions along State Highway 14/18 in Madison, Wis., Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022.

A skier makes her way across Lake of the Isles Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, in Minneapolis.

.ember 22, 2022, at Mitchell Airport in Milwaukee, Wis. Delta, American, United, Frontier, Alaska, Southwest, and other airlines were waiving change fees and offering travelers the option of choosing new flights to avoid the bad weather. According to the National Weather Service, a winter storm watch is in effect Thursday night through Friday night with dangerously cold air and wind gust up to 50 mph. Wind chills could reach 20 to 35 degrees below zero.

Ted Weissman skis on Lake Harriet Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minn. Weissman is visiting his brother-in-law from West Virginia. "This is like heaven for me," he said.

A person shovels snow outside Rome Grocery northeast of Bellingham, Wash., on Tuesday morning, Dec. 20, 2022. Heavy snow, freezing rain and sleet have disrupted travel across the Pacific Northwest, causing widespread flight cancellations and creating hazardous driving conditions.

A person cross-country skis on a sidewalk in Bellingham, Wash., early Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. Heavy snow, freezing rain and sleet have disrupted flights and motorists trying to travel across the Pacific Northwest.

Brianna Brooks, owner of Scott Brooks Towing out of Townshend, Vt., hooks up a vehicle to a flatbed truck at a three-vehicle crash site during a snowstorm on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022.

Rune Richards takes a bike ride in heavy snowfall on North Street in Pittsfield, Mass, Friday, Dec. 16, 2022.

A state plow truck clears the snow along Route 30 in Jamaica, Vt., during a snowstorm on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022.

A trio of City of Bismarck snow plows clear Century Ave. near Jaycee Park on Friday afternoon, Dec. 16, 2022, followed by a line of vehicles in Bismarck, N.D.

Pittsfield, Mass., on Dec. 16, 2022, as a winter storm descends over a large part of the country.

A man clears a driveway with a snowblower after a second round of snow storm passed through northern Minnesota Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, in Duluth, Minn.

Motorists dig out snow from around the car after they were stuck following a second round of snow passed through northern Minnesota Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, in Duluth, Minn.

Marissa and Mark Kallevig shovel snow off their front sidewalk, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, in Duluth, Minn., after the second round of snow storm, passed through.

This image provided by Historic Bullock Hotel Manager Vicki Weekly shows snow piled up in front of the Historic Bullock Hotel in Deadwood, S.D., on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022.

A Pennsylvania Department of Transportation ( Penn Dot) plow truck scraps the ice and sleet away on route 56 in Johnstown, Pa., on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022.

Visibility on I-94 in the Bismarck, N.D., Mandan area is greatly reduced due to blowing snow across the roadway in this view of westbound traffic on the Grant Marsh Bridge over the Missouri River on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022.

Brooke Lacher got some help clearing the driveway from her daughter Averie Wednesday morning. Aberdeen, S.D. had 5 inches of snow by Wednesday morning with more snow in the forecast.

A road closed sign hangs on a shuttered gate to prevent traffic from entering the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 at East Airpark Road Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, in Aurora, Colo. A massive winter storm has closed roads throughout northeast Colorado.

Tractor trailers are stacked up on the shoulder along the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 near East Airpark Road, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, in Aurora, Colo. A massive winter storm has closed roads throughout northeast Colorado.

A man clears his driveway of snow as a woman walks down the sidewalk after an overnight storm in Provo, Utah, on Dec. 13, 2022. - A cross-country storm is expected to unleash blizzard conditions in the northern US and severe weather in the South and move towards the Northeast later in the week.

A woman walks down the sidewalk after an overnight storm in Orem, Utah, on Dec. 13, 2022. - A cross-country storm is expected to unleash blizzard conditions in the northern US and severe weather in the South and move towards the Northeast later in the week.

Men work on a building in a snowstorm in Lehi, Utah, on Dec. 13, 2022. \ - A cross-country storm is expected to unleash blizzard conditions in the northern US and severe weather in the South and move towards the Northeast later in the week.

A worker clears cars of snow at the Berge used car lot after an overnight storm in Orem, Utah, on Dec. 13, 2022. - A cross-country storm is expected to unleash blizzard conditions in the northern US and severe weather in the South and move towards the Northeast later in the week.

A man clears his driveway of snow from an overnight storm in Provo, Utah, on Dec. 13, 2022. - A cross-country storm is expected to unleash blizzard conditions in the northern US and severe weather in the South and move towards the Northeast later in the week.

A man clears his driveway of snow from an overnight storm in Provo, Utah, on Dec. 13, 2022. - A cross-country storm is expected to unleash blizzard conditions in the northern US and severe weather in the South and move towards the Northeast later in the week.

A worker clears cars of snow at the Bereg used car lot after an overnight storm in Orem, Utah, on Dec. 13, 2022. - A cross-country storm is expected to unleash blizzard conditions in the northern US and severe weather in the South and move towards the Northeast later in the week.

A structure is damaged after a tornado touched down in Wayne, Okla., early Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. Millions of people in the central United States from the Rocky Mountains to the Midwest are bracing for blizzard-like conditions from a massive storm blowing across the country. States farther to the south, including Texas and Oklahoma, saw tornadoes early Tuesday, with some damage reported in Oklahoma.

Evan Freedman, from Los Angeles, puts snow chains on his vehicle as heavy snow falls on Highway 2 near Wrightwood, Calif., on Monday, Dec. 12, 2022.

California Highway Patrol officer Mike Eshleman instructs a driver he may continue on Highway 2 in his 4-wheel drive vehicle as heavy snow falls near Wrightwood, Calif., on Monday, Dec. 12, 2022.

Lenny Bloomfield, of East Rutherford, uses two ice scrapers to clear his girlfriend's car of snow in East Rutherford, N.J. on Monday Dec. 12, 2022.

Wrightwood residents Nick and Christine Hoban enjoy a walk together as heavy snow falls on Highway 2 near Wrightwood, Calif., on Monday, Dec. 12, 2022.

A view of the Taconic Ridge from Wappingers Falls on Dec. 12, 2022 in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

Elan Morales, 5, of Midland Park, plays in the first snow fall of the season at Citizens Park in Ridgewood, N.J. on Monday Dec. 12, 2022. Elan is homeschooled by his mother and is using this time at the park as his gym time.

Eddie Lynch of Rumford cleans the first snow of the season off his truck before starting his day on Dec 12, 2022.

Friends Addie Palmer, 7, left, and Esther Roghaar, 7, right, use tree branches to make arms and even hair on their snowman at Camel's Back Park in Boise, Idaho, on Monday, Dec. 12, 2022. The National Weather Service reported 2.5 inches of snow accumulation overnight from their location at the Boise Airport. No more snow is in the forecast for the Boise area this week, but temperatures are expected to drop to as low as 6 degrees by Saturday night.

Snow coats trees along Bridge Street in New Hamburg on Dec. 12, 2022 in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

NAU students Ayla Cuda and Brooklyn Fuller took a break from studying at the start of finals week to play in the first substantial snow of the season in Flagstaff, Ariz. on Dec. 12, 2022.

A wintry scene along the Wappinger Creek in Wappingers Falls on Dec. 12, 2022 in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.