A powerful winter storm system moving across the Great Lakes and Northeast is bringing snow and ice, frigid temperatures and fierce wind gusts.

A "bomb cyclone" is intensifying severe winter weather for millions of people across the U.S. The system is expected to knock out power and disrupt holiday travel.

Governor Tim Walz declared a peacetime emergency on Sunday, deploying the National Guard to help with emergency storm operations. The governor said the severe weather creates serious danger for travelers during one of the busiest times of the year. He thanked the National Guard for helping get stranded drivers to safety.

A winter storm watch alerts the public to the possibility of heavy snow, freezing rain or sleet. Winter Storm watches are usually issued 12 to 48 hours ahead of predicted severe weather.

Multiple states across the U.S. have been issued winter storm warnings, which forecast that up to 20 inches of snow could blast certain areas, from Wednesday through Thursday and Friday, and in some areas, even into Saturday, sparking increased "avalanche ...