more than 200 million people in america are under extreme weather alerts, and more than 1.5 million people have no power, as temperatures in some areas are predicted to drop to as low as minus 45 celsius. the huge arctic storm is affecting canada and extends down to the deep south and the border with mexico. this thermal satellite imagery shows the huge spread of the coldest areas with the midwest enduring the lowest temperatures. and this satellite image from the national oceanic and atmospheric administration gives an idea of the spread of the cold weather system with the lowest temperatures underneath the clouds at the top of the picture, across the northern us states and canada. we begin our coverage with this report from our north america correspondent, john sudworth. it couldn t have come at a worse time. america s peak travel season hit by a once in a generation storm. two days before christmas, two thirds of the country are now under extreme winter weather alerts
alissa, annie, david and heather again. heather keeps me sane. she makes sure i don t completely go crazy on the air. thank you to you all. it takes a team to make some show work. paula reid coming up. you are live in the cnn newsroom. i m paula reid in washington. a christmas eve storm for the ages. we are tracking the very latest on the severe weather impacting millions across the u.s. at least 16 storm-related deaths have been reported, including two in erie county, new york, in what may be the area s worst winter storm since the famous 1977 buffalo blizzard. jefferson county, new york, is experiencing life-threatening blizzard conditions, banning travel and declaring a state of emergency. jaw dropping sub zero temperatures across huge swaths of the country. 100 people people remain under windchill alerts. atlanta and philadelphia are facing their coldest christmas ever. and nearly two million people are without power. power companies in ohio, kentucky, and memphis are
after a monster winter storm clashes many of people in its path. hundreds of people are likely still trapped in their vehicles. one of them is an 85-year-old grandmother stuck with her son. they have been turning the car on and off to have heat and save gas. a life-threatening blizzard banning travel and declaring a state of emergency. sub vero temperatures are covering huge swaths of the country more than 100 people people remain under windchill alerts. nearly 2 million are without power. a power grid operator is now asking residents to reducing their power. people traveling home for christmas have been met with frustration. road travel in some areas is dangerous, if not impossible. today alone, 2,000 flights have been canceled. almost 5,000 have been delayed. carlos suarez is in atlanta. let s begin with cnn s polo sandoval in hard-hit buffalo, new york. in buffalo, they know snee. this is what they do. when they say it s bad, it s clearly bad. as we can see, it s pretty bl
the list of deaths. we could see more when everything is said and done. there is still a big concern for people stranded in their cars, when there was whiteout conditions. people would get lost in the storm. people were making contact with people stranded in cars. the mayor saying 200 individuals, they could still be out there, that they are trying to make sure they get safe. there s also some frustration in the voice of officials here, as they say that people do not are not really getting it right now. and braving the streets. that should be off in the distance here. we don t know where they could be going. only essential travel is allowed right now. they are clearing the streets to be drivable, just like the one you see here in downtown buffalo, and allow first responders to basically make it out to calls if necessary. but as far as the storm, this has been just it has not sto stopped. erie county officials say the storm is going to hover over buffalo, and perhaps we ll
across parts of the rio grande valley, all throughout the deep and north parts of florida. south florida, no surprise freeze watches no freeze watches at all. any blue or purple temperatures are below 0. you get in toward these purple can be excuse me, below freezing, get in to the purples, and you ve got the temps below 0. this was all part of this storm that brought the snow and the wind and the cold. it is now beginning to move in towards participants of canada, but you parts of canada, but notice the circulation. that s winds that ll continue to go across parts of the great lakes, and we re going to have massive lake effect snow piling up. about a month ago we saw 6 feet of snow in buffalo, we potentially have another 4 feet of snow that s going to fall across the same spot, so wind is going to track right across the lakes, lake erie, and and take a look at this. feels like -19, very heavy snow to the north of buffalo. we also have winds at 33 miles an hour, so it s