Jackson, December 24 (RHC)-- In the United States, extreme and unseasonal storms have unleashed tornadoes, heavy rain and hail across the South and Central regions, killing at least ten people.

More than 20 tornadoes were reported on Wednesday in the states of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi and Tennessee, the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center said Thursday.

The threat of severe weather just before the Christmas holiday is unusual, but not unprecedented, according to meteorologists at the Center.

This comes as the United States’ northeastern seaboard is experiencing an unprecedented winter heat wave, shattering high temperature records across the region.

Tonight, it is expected to be 73 degrees in New York City, 10 degrees warmer than the previous all-time record, dashing hopes of a snowy Christmas.