At least 18 dead as monster storm brings snow, and record low temperatures across US

Thousands of flights have also been cancelled as the artic blast caused temperatures to plummet as now as -40C in some states

The fountain is frozen as temperatures hovered in the mid 20's at Jacob Schoen & Son Funeral Home in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022. Millions of Americans are facing blinding blizzards, freezing rain, flooding and life-threatening cold through Christmas as a winter storm of unprecedented scope smashes its frigid way through most of the country.(David Grunfeld/The Advocate via AP)

A frigid winter storm has killed at least 18 people as it swept across the US, knocking out power to more than 700,000 homes and businesses and leaving millions of people on edge about the possibility of blackouts.

Thousands of flights have been cancelled as the artic blast caused temperatures to plummet as now as -40C in some states.