A state of emergency has been declared in seven states - Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas and parts of New Jersey.
 
In Washington DC, isolated areas could see up to 16 inches of snowfall, according to the National Weather Service.
 
Thousands of flights have already been delayed or cancelled, and many roads cut off and schools shut.
 
Forecasters said the cold weather has been caused by a polar vortex - an area of cold air that circulates around the Arctic.