The immense storm system brought disruption even to areas of the country that usually escape winter's wrath, downing trees in some southern states and threatening a freeze in Florida.
The polar vortex that dipped south over the weekend kept much of the country east of the Rockies in its frigid grip, making many roads treacherous and forcing school closures.
The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings for Kansas and Missouri, where blizzard conditions brought wind gusts of up to 45mph, causing widespread power outages.
Studies show that a fast-warming Arctic is partly to blame for the increasing frequency of the polar vortex extending its grip, contributing to the colder conditions.
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