According to The Guardian, around 50 million people are currently subject to winter storm watches, advisories and warnings, as well as wind chill alerts, with temperatures due to plunge.

The US National Weather Service (NWS) said the once-in-a-generation weather event would likely bring air temperatures of -20C to -30C, with wind chill making conditions feel even colder.

While what is expected to be a record-breaking cold snap will be felt across much of the US, it will centre over the Midwest and Great Lakes before spreading to the US East Coast. Even Florida is expected to experience sub-zero conditions.

A so-called "bomb cyclone" occurs when a storm intensifies rapidly, usually over a 24-hour period. Snow, high winds and later heavy rains are likely to impact travel, the NWS has warned.

"Heavy snowfall rates of one to two inches per hour at times, along with wind gusts of more than 50mph, will result in near-zero visibility," said the NWS. "This will lead to dangerous, to at times impossible, land and air travel leading up to the holiday weekend."