Severe rain and powerful winds swept across New Zealand’s North Island on Monday, disrupting air travel and leaving tens of thousands of properties without electricity.

The National Weather Service has warned that a major Arctic outbreak will sweep across much of the United States beginning this weekend, bringing exceptionally cold temperatures that are expected to last well into mid-January.

Winter winds in the US have delivered deadly surf conditions to western states and reports of tornadoes to Texas, as parts of the US faced severe weather over the holidays.

A powerful winter storm is expected to disrupt Thanksgiving travel plans across the U.S., bringing heavy snow, plunging temperatures, strong winds, and rain.