In pictures: US 'big freeze'

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A city snow plough clears a street in an almost deserted Springfield, Illinois, as strong winds and snow move through the Midwest
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Millions of people across the US are bracing themselves for bitter Arctic blast that could send temperatures plummeting to their lowest in decades.

A man takes a break from blowing snow off of his driveway at his home in the US state of Michigan
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Temperatures in the north and central US could feel as low as -60F (-51C) with the effect of wind chill from the rare "polar vortex", forecasters say.

A Michigan State Trooper checks on a motorist who slid off the I-75 in Clarkston on Sunday
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The National Weather Service has warned that it is a "life-threatening wind chill".

Two people pass by a statue of US singer Chuck Berry in St. Louis, Missouri
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The authorities are warning residents to remain indoors, both for their own safety and to keep roads clear for snow removal.

A couple are stranded at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport after a snowstorm led to the cancellation of their flight home to Miami
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Over the weekend, the winter storm led to the cancellation of more than 3,700 flights.

A girl takes a day off from school by taking advantage of an overnight snowfall to slide down a hill in Pringle, Pennsylvania
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Schools will also be closed across the state of Minnesota on Monday, as well as in parts of Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana amongst others.