The bitter cold that gripped the US’s Northern Plains and Upper Midwest areas has killed at least 16 and shows no sign of easing, while another arctic blast approaching from Canada may drive weekend temperatures to all-time record lows, writes USA Today.

The National Weather Service said “dangerously cold temperatures” will hit the region over the weekend, with wind chill temperatures in some areas reaching 50, 60 or even 70 degrees (Farenheit) below zero by Sunday night.

Eighteen inches of snow fell in Boston and parts of western New York. Ten inches of snow fell in Lakewood, New Jersey, with Philadelphia and New York City getting 6 inches each.

The weather service warned that “wind chills colder than 50 below can cause exposed flesh to freeze in only 5 to 10 minutes.”

New Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton announced Friday that all schools in the state would be closed Monday. All-time record cold temperatures are possible in the city of Minneapolis on Monday, according to the weather service.

Airports and major roads have been shut down, and the storm has forced school closings in much of the Northeast.

Slick roads were cited as the cause for traffic deaths in Michigan, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois.

Governors in both New York and New Jersey declared states of emergency, urging residents to stay at home. “This is nothing to be trifled with,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “People should seriously consider staying in their homes.”

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio urged New Yorkers to exercise “extreme caution” and limit exposure outdoors. De Blasio, who as public advocate in 2010 criticized his predecessor Mayor Michael Bloomberg for his handling of a large snowstorm, sent hundreds of plows and salt spreaders on the streets as soon as snow began falling Thursday night.

“If you don’t need to go out, please don’t go out,” de Blasio said at a news conference Thursday evening, urging residents to use mass transit. “Stay off the streets, stay out of your cars.”