Recent days have given an alarming preview of a blizzard forecasters predict will affect 75 million people across the mid-Atlantic region of the United States.
Louis Uccellini of the US National Weather Service has warned the scale of the storm could be life threatening.
"Cold temperatures and strong winds, and we expect those winds to be very strong with this storm system."
Even the days leading up to the storm have been fatal: a man died in Maryland, hit by a snow plough in a light storm.
There and in Washington, a two-and-a-half-centimetre snow fall - small in comparison to what's to come - brought roads to a standstill.
Commuters abandoned their cars mid journey, and even President Barack Obama was stuck en route to the White House, delayed for well over an hour.
Commuters shared their frustrations from the road: "It was pretty rough driving home, it took him an hour to get 4 miles, said one.
"It usually takes me 20 to 25 minutes - I've been on the road 5 hours now, said another.
In neighbouring Virginia, there have been hundreds of crashes in the last 24 hours - one fatal.
Now the region is bracing for more chaos - with one of the worst blizzards in US history.
Washington is expected to be the epicentre.
Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser admitted the city was not prepared in recent days, but would now make greater provisions for the storm to come.
"We are expecting an historic snow fall, I think there is one other on record that we have had."
As well as several emergency warnings, blizzard watches now extend from the capital to New Jersey, and the New York City area, where Mayor Bill de Blasio has offered reassurance to the community.
"We are prepared, that the agencies here are ready for what's coming up ahead."
For New Jersey, the risk comes from high tides and strong gales.
The Seaside Heights Emergency Service says winds of around 100 kilometres an hour are predicted.
Several states are calling on the National Guard for reinforcements and along the east coast, shelves are emptying, as shoppers queue for supplies.
Many are frantically loading their trolleys - not knowing when they will next leave her home.
"Normally I wouldn't even come out, because we are usually stocked up. But because of the storm, I don't want to go out in the snow."
Many of them fear being isolated for more than a week.
Share
