By Holly Yan and Judson Jones, CNN

(CNN) -- Absurdly cold weather is about to grip much of the United States, trapping millions of Americans in subzero temperatures and bringing "dangerous to impossible travel conditions."

Some states could suffer the coldest air in a generation, the National Weather Service said. About 220 million people -- or 75% of the continental US population -- will endure below-freezing temperatures this week.

The wicked cold has already turned deadly. At least two deaths -- one in Minnesota and one in Illinois -- have been attributed to the current cold pattern.

In many parts of the country, the coldest life-threatening weather is yet to come. Across the Midwest and Great Lakes, the brutal cold will likely shatter dozens of records, CNN meteorologist Dave Hennen said.

Between Tuesday and Thursday, temperatures will plunge to 20-40 degrees below zero in the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes, Hennen said. Wind chills will plummet to 35-60 below zero.

"Chicago will likely see its coldest readings in nearly 25 years, with lows approaching the all-time record of 27 below and a daytime high on Wednesday of around 15 below," Hennen said.

"It could remain below zero in Chicago from around noon on Tuesday until around midday on Friday."

But the deep freeze is only half the story. The Dakotas are grappling with blizzard conditions, the National Weather Service said. And heavier snow is expected in the Upper Midwest and Great lakes, meaning "dangerous to impossible travel conditions."

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While intense snow smothers much of the Midwest, snow will likely extend all the way down to Mississippi and Alabama.

Two deaths have been attributed to the current cold pattern

In Rochester, Minnesota, a man was found dead Sunday outside the home where he was staying with a relative.

Ali Alfred Gombo, 22, didn't have keys to the home, according to CNN affiliate KIMT. He was unable to enter the home early Sunday morning after being dropped off. Single-digit temperatures that dipped below zero likely played a role in the man's death, Rochester police said. An autopsy will determine the official cause of death.

Police in Libertyville, Illinois, said a man was killed Monday morning as a result of the weather.

"The man died after a roadway crash involving a village plow truck and a pedestrian," police said. The man was pronounced dead at the scene and the plow driver has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the result of an investigation, police said.

On Sunday, a 13-year-old boy in Iowa was found dead after he was outside for days, Marshalltown Police Chief Michael Tupper said. Corey Brown left his home during a snowstorm Tuesday night.

An autopsy will determine when he died and if his death was related to the current cold snap.

What about the Super Bowl?

In Atlanta, football fans are bracing for the winter weather's impact on the Super Bowl. The New England Patriots are set to face the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Temperatures will plunge Tuesday as the city gets hit with up to 2 inches of snow. All Georgia state offices will be closed Tuesday and several precautionary measures are taking effect.

On Monday, the city began pretreating some routes and bridges with a brine solution to prevent freezing, Atlanta Department of Public Works Communications Director Kim Rankins said. Crews will continue pretreating routes through Monday night and transition to a salt treatment overnight Monday, which will continue until the end of the weather event.

The city will also open emergency warming centers Tuesday starting at 6 a.m. The centers will remain open until Thursday morning.

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said she is in touch with NFL officials and will work with them regarding events scheduled across the city as winter weather moves into the area.

The storm comes on the five-year anniversary of a "snowpocalyse" storm that paralyzed Atlanta, and some locals worried the weather combined with swelling Super Bowl crowds would snarl roads and cause another catastrophe.

But temperatures are expected to rebound for the weekend, melting anything that sticks to the roads in time for the big game.

Clarification: The headline on this article has been updated to make clear that 75% of the US population will see below-freezing temperatures this week.