The winter storm struck parts of North Carolina bringing heavy snowfall and dangerous conditions to a region that rarely sees significant snowfall.

Leaders in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia issued or extended states of emergency ahead of the winter storm.

Photos show palm trees covered in snow and people sledding as the weekend snow storm hits the South.

About 150m faced cold weather advisories along eastern US, and two in North Carolina died in storm-related conditions

Forecasters warned that dangerous extra-cold conditions will persist for a huge swath of the U.S. from the Gulf Coast into New England.

The winter storm struck parts of North Carolina bringing heavy snowfall and dangerous conditions to a region that rarely sees significant snowfall.