Severe winter weather hits many parts of the U.S.

Half of America is under winter weather advisories as freezing temperatures grip the country.

Snow and ice blanketed large swaths of the U.S. on Sunday, with areas as far south as Texas’ Gulf Coast beginning to get the wintry weather.

Freezing rain and snow were expected overnight in the Houston area.

As snow fell in Texas and Oklahoma, wrecks had shut down portions of interstates Sunday, while parts of Kentucky and West Virginia still recovering from an ice storm last week are expected to get more.

Meanwhile, governors in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas have each activated National Guard units to assist state agencies with tasks including rescuing stranded drivers.