A rare, potentially historic winter storm is bringing heavy snow and icy conditions across the Gulf Coast while most of the country is facing dangerously cold temperatures from an arctic blast that arrived over the weekend.

The snow storm could hit over a dozen states through Wednesday, including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.

The South is bracing for a major winter storm, most of the nation remains gripped by extreme cold, and high winds could fan flames in California.