Massive winter storm causes at least 330 flight cancellations or delays throughout Midwest and northern US

Wind chill in some areas will cause below-zero temperatures

A Boeing 737 Max 9 built for United Airlines landing at King County International Airport (AP)

At least 330 flights have been cancelled or delayed heading into Christmas as a massive blizzard bears down on the Midwest.

The storm is set to hit the upper Midwest and the northern planes on Wednesday and Thursday, bringing heavy snows, strong winds, and freezing temperatures dropping below zero in some regions.

Blizzard warnings are in effect through much of Minnesota, parts of the eastern Dakotas, the Canadian border, Nebraska and Iowa. Winter storm warnings have been issued in parts of Wisconsin and other parts of Minnesota.

Minneapolis is preparing for 13 inches of snow and winds of up to 45mph.

On Wednesday night, wind chill is expected to drop temperatures in the region to -25f(-31c).

Northern Nebraska and the Dakotas have already seen strong winds and heavy snow as winter storms churn in Minnesota.

The local National Weather Service office issued a dire warning advising people not to travel.

“Heavy snow, with blizzard conditions have begun in western Minnesota and are quickly spreading east toward eastern Minnesota,” it said.

It said travel would be “difficult to impossible.”

North Dakota's highway patrol also advised travelers to stay off the road.

“If you do not need to travel (emergencies only) outside of town, stay home until the snow stops and the sun comes up,” a trooper in Mapleton, just west of Fargo, tweeted.

State troopers in Minnesota also issued a similar advisory.

“Get to where you need to go and stay there,” the department tweeted. “Road conditions are only going to get worse as snow accumulates, the wind picks up and the temps plummet.”

Snow is expected to stop falling on Wednesday night, but high winds will continue to keep temperatures low throughout Thursday morning.

Though snow totals are low compared to other major winter storms and blizzards, the combination of snow, high winds and low temperatures will make the system dangerous for anyone traveling.