In Pics | Brutal blizzard batters parts of US

A huge winter storm kept its grip on the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest after delivering heavy snows, freezing rains and gusty winds to the central US, leaving hundreds of thousands without power and grounding hundreds of flights.

A brutal winter storm trapped drivers on icy roads, blacked out hundreds of thousands of homes, grounded airplanes and closed schools across the US. Credit: AP Photo

The broad swath of the northern United States - from Washington state to New England - remained under winter weather advisories. Credit: Reuters Photo

Some spots may see another 18 inches (46 cm) of snow, winds clocking in at 50 miles (80 km) per hour and wind chills equivalent to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the day, the National Weather Service said. Credit: Getty Images

At the same time, parts of the Ohio Valley and the South could see near record-breaking high temperatures, beginning Thursday (Feb. 23) and continuing over the next few days. Credit: AP Photo

In Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and New York, high winds and freezing rains left some 9,00,000 homes and businesses without power, according to Poweroutage.us. Credit: AFP Photo

A separate storm spawned unusual weather in California, where much of the state was under high wind and winter storm warnings. Credit: AFP Photo

Rare winter flurries were reported in San Francisco while blizzard conditions were expected in high elevations - even in the Los Angeles area. By Saturday, up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) of snow could accumulate on Mount Baldy, about 45 miles (72 km)east of Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Mountains. Credit: AFP Photo

Experts say the growing frequency and intensity of such storms, interspersed with extreme heat and dry spells, are symptoms of climate change. While the East Coast has experienced a relatively mild winter, the Northern Plains has experienced an extreme one in terms of snowfall and low temperatures, according to the weather service. Credit: AFP Photo

Snow falls as cars sit parked under a blanket of snow in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Credit: Getty Images