Deadly freeze hits northern US, at least 13 killed

New York:  Residents across the US northeast braced for a weekend with temperatures plummeting to dangerously cold levels after a massive snow storm dumped several inches of snow from Boston to New York, killing at least 13 people and cancelling thousands of flights.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, just two days old in his new position, urged New Yorkers to exercise 'extreme caution' and limit exposure outdoors. He warned New Yorkers that icy sidewalks and roads will make travel hazardous in the coming days.

"It is going to be bitterly cold tonight. The snow may have stopped, but we are not out of the woods. If you can avoid traveling and stay inside tonight, please do so. If you must go outside...be extremely careful—and avoid driving if possible," de Blasio said on Saturday.

Overnight wind chills could push temperatures below zero degrees, leading to frostbite or hypothermia for anyone exposed to the cold for extended periods.

The National Weather Service said that on the heels of the departing Northeast winter storm is yet another powerful blast of winter over the weekend. The storm will bring blizzard conditions and extreme cold to parts of the northern Plains and Midwest.

Significant snow is forecast from the central Plains to the Great Lakes as the bitter cold spreads eastward. Media reports said at least 13 people have died due to the winter storm, with several deaths occurring because of bad conditions on the roadways.

Windchill readings could hit minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit in New York City, Boston and Philadelphia and a new arctic plunge was expected to hit the Midwest and the Northeast next week, bringing more snow and subzero temperatures.

New York City was pummelled with 6 inches of snow and 33 mile per hour wind gusts. Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency and ordered three major highways, stretching from Long Island to Albany, to close overnight during the height of the storm.

Boston saw more than two feet of snow overnight, while other parts of the state were slammed with as much as 18 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service. Flight tracking website FlightAware.com said at least 2,200 flights had been canceled nationwide and there were about 3,000 total delays.

The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning for Cape Cod, coastal areas north and south of Boston and part of Maine, as well as New York's Long Island. Nearly 18 inches of snow fell in some of Chicago's northern suburbs, and more than 12 inches of snow were recorded at Midway International Airport.