More than 200 million people across the United States are bracing for the arrival of a major winter storm that is set to take hold over the weekend.

Heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain are expected across large parts of the U.S. as the dangerously cold weather causes major power outages and travel disruptions.

Around 190 million people — more than half the U.S. — are under winter weather alerts across 37 states, from the Rockies to New England.