Snow, Ice, Deep-Freeze Hit Large Swath Of U.S.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A late fall cold snap that has gripped much of the country and forced people to deal with frigid temperatures, power outages by the thousands and treacherous roads has Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic in its icy sights next.

Temperatures in Montana and South Dakota were more than 20 degrees below zero Saturday while much of the Midwest was in the teens and single digits. Wind chill readings could drop as low as 50 below zero in northwestern Minnesota, weather officials said.

Icy conditions were expected to last through the weekend from Texas to Ohio to Tennessee. Virginia officials warned residents of a major ice storm likely to take shape Sunday, resulting in power outages and hazards on the roads.

In California, four people died of hypothermia in the San Francisco Bay area.