A powerful storm system that tore across the United States in recent days is winding down Monday, but in its wake are devastated communities across states hit with violent tornadoes, wildfires and dust storms spun off by the massive system.

Violent tornadoes and high winds decimated homes, wiped out schools and toppled semitractor-trailers as a monster storm that killed at least 32 people ripped its way across the central and southern U.

On Monday, 8 million people were under winter storm watches and warnings, although the storms' impacts were less severe than those over the weekend.

Strong tornadoes are possible near Chicago, while blizzard conditions have been blasting Nebraska and Kansas. Farther south, Oklahoma and Texas are facing critical wildfire danger.

Meteorologists break down the two parts of an intense storm slamming the Midwest with both severe thunderstorms and heavy snow.

Parts of the Midwest saw a range of extreme weather Wednesday as a system walloped the region with heavy snow, strong winds, severe thunderstorms and possible tornadoes. CBS News correspondent Nicole Valdes has more.