BBC News:
Nearly 1.5 million people are without power across several states as a powerful Arctic winter storm sweeps through the US and Canada.
Large parts of both countries are under winter weather alerts that stretch from coast-to-coast and as far south as the US-Mexico border.
The storm has brought damaging winds and freezing temperatures that can quickly lead to frostbite.
At least six storm-related deaths have been reported in the US.
Major airports have cancelled thousands of flights as the storm intensifies.
As of Friday morning, more than 1,400,000 people from Texas to Maine had no electricity as intense winds damaged power lines.
Power outages have also been reported in Canada, affecting 317,900 people in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario.
The US National Weather Service said that over 200 million people – or roughly 60% of the US population – are under some form of winter weather advisory.
Much of Canada, from British Columbia to Newfoundland, is also under extreme cold and winter storm warnings. Several school boards in Ontario, including Toronto, have cancelled classes.
This storm is set to bring the iciest Christmas in decades, say forecasters.
