Thanksgiving storms batter the US

The US weather provided little to be grateful for this Thanksgiving, with rain, snow and freezing rain affecting many parts of the country.

At least 14 people have died as a result of the precarious conditions.

The heaviest snow fell across the mountain states and the Central Plains. Heavy snow and whiteout conditions were reported from the Dakotas to the Great Lakes.

Sioux Falls in South Dakota only recorded 4cm of snow, but as that mixed with freezing rain, widespread warnings were issued as conditions became treacherous.

Meanwhile, in Grand Island, Nebraska, heavy snow and strong winds led to blizzards. Local media reported that at least 33 vehicles slid off the roads, but no serious injuries were reported.

The blanket of snow extended south across much of Colorado into northern New Mexico and the far northwest of Texas. Here it turned to ice and ultimately rain, and plenty of it.

Ice storms and freezing rain brought down trees and power lines. Utility companies in Oklahoma say that more than 78,000 homes lost power on Sunday.

The deadly storms caused further flooding across the sodden soils and swollen waterways of northern Texas. The weather has been blamed for at least eight deaths in Texas and six in Kansas since Thursday.

As tens of millions of Americans returned home after the long Thanksgiving weekend, the weather did show signs of improvement. The exception being the Central Plains, where snow and freezing rain still linger.

The snow will eventually become confined to the Midwest, while the heaviest rain will slowly move east towards Georgia and the Carolinas. However,  with further showers over north Texas and Arkansas, flooding concerns remain.