All 254 counties in Texas under winter storm alert as the arctic blast heads east

Oklahoma City – Much of the country is preparing for a big winter explosion and bone-chilling cold. This weekend, Seattle saw its biggest snow in nearly half a century.

And on Sunday night, at least 168 million people are under winter warnings. Snow is expected from Texas to Maine. Ice is a major concern in the South and Northeast. The midwest is already frozen – with the arctic air expected to descend to the Gulf coast.

It snowed all day in Oklahoma City, and although the temperature indicated 12 degrees on Sunday night, the cold wind made it look like -15. This system is dangerous at all levels.

A great snowstorm left tens of thousands of people without power. Strong winds and heavy snow hit the Pacific Northwest first.

“It’s been a little difficult,” said one resident. “We don’t have gas. We are all electric in our house, so heating the house has been the biggest problem.”

Conditions are just as bad in Washington, where a large pileup closed the west lanes of I-90 on Saturday for hours, leaving drivers stuck in their cars.

Love and happiness this Valentine’s Day, left aside by same storm approaching from the southeast during the night.

Snow fell for more than 12 hours straight in Oklahoma City, covering the roads, making visibility difficult.

Kate Collins was heading north, driving a large 36,000-kilo platform.

“I know that my biggest concern, I think on the road, is inexperienced drivers going very, very slowly on the highway,” said Collins. “Twenty-five, 30 miles an hour and then swerving a lot because they don’t know where the lines are. It was probably the worst thing I’ve ever encountered.”

But many are heeding the warning and staying at home, making the most of this winter wonderland.

For the first time in Texas, all 254 counties are under a winter storm alert. The temperature in Dallas is already colder than in Anchorage, Alaska.

Up to 400 record cold temperatures are possible across the country until midweek.

“At the moment, we have two major climate systems coming together across the country, a very strong storm trail here and some of the coldest air on earth, the polar vortex forcing cold air into a very humid and stormy environment,” he said. CBS News meteorologist and climate expert Jeff Berardelli. “That means a lot of incredibly dangerous snow and ice in the extreme south.”

An unlikely and potentially confusing mix on a day usually reserved for perfect couples.