The oval office and why he never asked his own father if he should run for president. And not a whole lotta love. The legendary rock band led zeppelin reportedly offered a staggering 800 million for a reunion tour but did lead singer robert plant rip the contract to shreds . A story that could lead zeppelin fans dazed and confused today, monday, november 1500th, 2014. Announcer from nbc news this is today with matt lauer and Savannah Guthrie live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. And good morning. Welcome to today on a monday morning. And that led zeppelin story has us all diving into our playlists. We were going to do air guitar but we decided not to scare you too early. Ripping an 800 Million Contract to shreds . Can you see all the other bandmates taping it back together . The guys have been yelling out their favorite zeppelin songs. Guys . Kashmir. Anyway well tell you more about that coming up. Lets get to our top story on a monday morning. Were talking about the snow and temperatures falling across the midwest this morning. Todays dylan dreyer is in forest lake minnesota. Good morning. Reporter good morning, matt. The snow has started here in forest lake about a half hour north of minneapolis. And you can see the roads are already snow covered. Winter storm warnings are in effect from the Northern Rockies where the heavy snow started yesterday, extending all the way into the western great lakes. This is going to be the first major snowstorm of the season for this area. And winter is still several weeks away. I just want to put this into perspective for you for this region we normally pick up about nine inches of snow on average for the entire month of november. With this snowstorm, we should easily pick up more than a foot of snow making this the first doubledigit snowstorm this area has seen in two years. Now, we are still surprisingly seeing Minneapolis School districts open today, although some of the smaller School Districts are closed. But people are still taking this seriously. They have been out putting on their snow tires a little earlier than usual. Theyve also been reinforcing their supplies for the snow and were hoping to see some more plows out later today. Again, because these roads are already snow covered. Now, keep in mind this is just the leading edge of this arctic air that is pouring into the United States which will ultimately affect 42 states. Oklahoma city for example, will top out in the mid70s today and will plummet by 40 degrees by the time we get into the middle of the week. And here in the upper midwest, today is just the start of what could be a twoweek stretch of subfreezing temperatures, meaning once the snow piles up today, it is going to stick around for a long time. Matt . Dylan, thank you very much. Trying to imagine that phone call over the weekend when they say al you want to go to minnesota . You said send dylan. Thats why i have my call to dylan. Unfortunately, dylan is going to be there for a while because at least 6 of flights have been canceled already in minneapolis, and more on the way. Low pressure look at the cold air. This is the leading edge of that cold air by the afternoon, the heaviest snow going on in minneapolis on into marquette, michigan. This snowfall is going to really come down hard and fast. Were talking in the next 48 hours upwards of a foot and a half of snow from minneapolis into marquette. The more north you go the worse it gets. One to two inches per hour. This is the leading edge. So ahead of it weve got warmth and moisture. Behind it this unseasonably cold air. So temperatures today, youve got anywhere from 20 to 30 degrees below average. But look ahead of the front. Dallas 79. Little rock 10. Tonight, the lows drop down to Single Digits in bismarck kansas city upper 20s. Then wednesday that cold air starts to make its way into lexington. Chicago, 28. Alexandria 46. Thursdays lows lexington will be 29. Chicago, 25 for a low. Atlanta, 43. And on friday tallahassee, at 33. Buffalo, 29. Kansas city 19. And guys this cold cold air does not go anywhere any time soon. It will be sticking around for at least the weekend and beyond. All right. Al thank you so much. Meantime politics now, president obama arrived in china overnight, kicking off a threenation tour. The trip coming at a difficult time in his presidency as far as politics is concerned. But some good news overseas thats two american hostages detained in north korea have been returned home. Nbcs White House CorrespondentKristen Welker is traveling with the president. Kristen, good morning to you. Reporter savannah this is the second time that president obama has visited asia this year. One of his key Foreign Policy goals has been strengthening ties with the region but that has been complicated by crises abroad and now a bruising political defeat at home. China rolled out a hightech red carpet as leaders from around the world gathered for the apec economic summit. President obama starting a diplomatic trip that will focus on the economy, trade and restarting his socalled pivot to asia. The president s day dominated by highlevel talks including his first meeting with president xi jinping on chinese soil. Key to this trip reassuring critics who say other crises like isis and ebola have made asia an afterthought. Today mr. Obama came bearing gifts, announcing a new visa agreement with china. Under the current arrangement, visas between our two countries last for only one year. Under the new arrangement, Student Exchange visas will be extending to five years. Business and tourist visas will be extended to ten years. Reporter and he is trying to rehabilitate his diminished status on the world stage after last weeks election day defeat by republicans. On sunday mr. Obama, for the first time, took responsibility. The buck stops with me. The buck stops right here. At my desk. And so whenever as the head of the party, it doesnt do well ive got to take responsibility for it. Reporter but some good news to start his trip. North korea unexpectedly released the final two american detainees, Matthew Miller and kenneth bae. Im standing strong because of you. And thank you for. Reporter now, earlier today, president obama praised the release and said it will take more than that to ease tensions with north korea. That will be a big topic of conversation here over the next two days. As with chinas full record on human rights from here president obama heads to myanmar and then rounds out his trip at the g20 economic summit in australia. Savannah . Matt . Kristen welker traveling with the president , thank you. Let us turn to natalie now. A developing story in the fight against isis. Good morning, everyone. In the fate of a key isis leader is unclear this morning after u. S. Airstrikes in iraq. Richard engel is in erbil, iraq. Richard, good morning. Reporter good morning, natalie. Some iraqi officials and media here in iraq citing unnamed sources, allegedly close to isis claim that the groups leader al baghdadi was injured by an american airstrike in iraq over the weekend. However, iraqi officials weve spoken to say theyre aware of those reports but cannot confirm them. If it were true that baghdadi were injured or even killed by an airstrike, it would be an enormous blow to the group. Baghdadi is the man who took al qaeda in iraq an insurgent group, and turned it into isis today. The militant organization that controls large parts of iraq and syria. But at this stage, natalie, we cannot verify these reports and are treating them with a degree of skepticism. Natalie . Richard engel in erbil, iraq thank you. A suicide bomber killed at least 48 people this morning and wounded about 80 others at a School Assembly in northeastern nigeria. A teacher said the bomber was dressed as a student and that most of the victims were young people. The school is in an area often targeted by boko haram rebels who are notorious for their kidnapping of hundreds of schoolgirls in nigeria. A prominent minister and his wife were among the nine People Killed when their plane went down on an approach to grand bahama island. It took off from nassau and tried to land in freeport. It collided with a construction crane at a shipyard. Pastor miles monroe and his wife ruth were killed in the crash. Monroe was a wellknown author and Leadership Consultant in the bahamas. And new information this morning on that massive recall of General Motors ignition switches the wall street journals reporting that gm ordered a half million replacement ignition switches to fix chevrolet cobalts and other small cars. Almost two months before it alerted federal safety regularities to the problem. The parts order now puts into question the timetable that gm game for its recall of 2. 5 million vehicles. The ignition switch issue now is linked to 30 deaths. Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of germanys capital city on sunday to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the collapse of the berlin wall. German chancellor Angela Merkel attended a huge event at Brandenburg Gate once part of the barrier that divided east and west berlin. And sunday nights events included music, fireworks and the release of 8,000 balloons that traced the root of the berlin wall. A spectacular sight there. Speaking of incredible sights take a look at this one in texas this weekend when a dashcam captured a fireball streaking across the sky over san antonio. People all over the state reported seeing what appeared to be a meteor shower but the National Weather service says there were no reports of a meteor landing somewhere nearby. Hmm. I dont know. Is that it . Well have to wait and see. Everybody is talking Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers lit up the sky in a different way sunday night. He threw six touchdown passes in the first half against the Chicago Bears in a game that was seen right here on nbc. That ties an nfl record. The packers led 420 at the half. They went on to win it 5514. Incredible game for Aaron Rodgers. Meanwhile, what happened in seattle, a fans head turning into an unlikely perch for the seahawks live mascot. Oh dear. Yikes tama apparently flies out of the tunnel before seattles home games. This time you see it decided to make friends with that guy. And it took a little detour into the stands. After a few minutes there of freedom. That had to hurt right . The hawk was then reunited with its handler. I think he got a good grab on that guy. But look not a hair out of place. You might want to check your drink before you drink it. What are you looking at . Hello, al. Hes still looking at you. That would be me. Wow, its upside down day. Lets show you what we have as far as your weather today. Along the florida coast, were looking at showers. Beautiful in the northeast into the ohio river valley. Behind that front, lots of snow to talk about. And that cold air will eventually make its way into the pacific northwest. Temperatures in the low 50s there. Were going to get to your local forecast coming up in the next 30 seconds. Let us be lovers, well marry our fortunes together ive got some real estate here in my bag it took me four days to hitchhike from saginaw ive come to look for america good morning. Im meteorologist bill henley. A cold start this morning, but a nice rebound this afternoon. Lots of sunshine high temperatures in the upper 50s to low 60s, and even warmer for tomorrow veterans day. Partly sunny, 66 degrees tuesday afternoon. A chance of a sprinkle early on wednesday, then turning chillier on thursday. By friday morning, we could see some showers, possibly a mix of rain drops and snowflakes friday morning. Then clearing skies for the weekend but Cold Saturday morning. Have a great day. Thats your latest weather. Savannah . Al thank you so much. Now to our candid conversation with former president george w. Bush. We met up with him at his home in dallas to talk about his new book 41 a portrait of my father. I began by asking about the chances of another bush his brother, jeb, running for the white house. Reporter are you actively persuading him to run . Well in the sense that im about to Say Something on your tv show here that says i hope he runs. Hell make up his own mind. I think he knows he can do the job. Thank you all. Thank you very much. No matter who says he should run, he knows hes going to make up his mind based upon what he thinks is right for his family. And i have no idea. I really dont. Reporter you know politics. Yes, i do. Reporter do you think he can get through the republican primary . Absolutely. I think if he runs people will say, well this guy could be a great president. Reporter some people would say is he conservative enough to get through Todays Republican Party . Yeah i understand. It becomes sheer speculation until he says im in. If he chooses to run, it would be a formidable force. And it would be a lot of too many bushes. He understands that. I understand that, too. Because they said that about me. Reporter well there was a time when it might have been a nonstarter to have a bush on the ticket. I dont think it has anything to do with me. I think it really has to do about him. This man has got a vision and can articulate it. Hes good. Really good. And he also can give a speech complete speech, in spanish. You know my vocabulary is about 50 words. And hes not afraid of the competition. Should he decide to run. Reporter can you imagine a general election between a bush and a clinton . Yeah. Bill clinton and i do events together. Someone said what about another bush clinton race . My quote was, the first one didnt turn out too well. Yeah that would be interesting. Reporter do you think it would affect the friendship . No. Reporter you have a genuine friendship now. No it wouldnt. Were too professional for that in a sense. I mean not at all. Reporter though out of politics now, president bush still watches world events closely, especially the rise of another vicious terror group in iraq. When you look at isis and the threat now, do you think that its as dangerous, as potent as pre9 11 al qaeda . Or is it more so . I think its somewhat theyre different theyre not in different in the sense theyre willing to murder innocents and ideology. Now weve got beheadings by these thugs over there. And im confident they love to inflict great damage on the country. Reporter well organized and well funded. Al qaeda was pretty well funded for a while, but they got crushed. And isis is you know isis needs to be defeated. I applaud the president to degrade and defeat. Hopefully the strategy will work. Reporter the midterm just happened. You remember the 2006 midterm. It was a thumping. Reporter you probably have an insight into how president obama might feel. Well im sure hes disappointed. It will be interesting to see whether or not he reaches out to john boehner and mitch. Both of them ive talked to. Both of them do want to work with the president to get things done. Reporter what do you think the republicans should do with this newfound power . I think they ought to impose reasonable agenda items on a variety of fronts that the American People want to have happen. It will be fascinating to watch the level of cooperation develop. And i hope it does. But the other thing is people get kind of tired of a president after a while. Im a pro. Theres a certain fatigue that sets in six years into anyones presidency. You get more of this interview coming up right . We do. Hes written a very loving book about his fathers presidency. Next half hour hes going to open up about his relationship with his father. He takes us inside his painting studio at his home. He takes this very seriously and gives us an exclusive look at some of his latest pieces. We look forward to that. Meanwhile, carson back on the voice. He could be a contestant on the voice. And tamrons on duty in the orange room. Good morning. There are days we feel space cyy, right . Got nothing on this guy. After 165 days in space, astronaut Reed Weissman has landed back on earth. He and two crew members from russia and germany, they landed in kazakhstan last night after a mission on the International Space station. Talk about a grand entrance. Imagine, guys coming home this afternoon like that. Kids would be impressed, right . Wow oh yeah. Okay right . Yes. Absolutely yes, yes all righty. Well, the crew looked a little bit tired, as expected but they were very happy to be on solid ground. They actually had to be assisted into reclining chairs to get readjusted to earths gravity. Weissman has been a sensation on twitter during his time on the space station. In fact he tweeted out this to his 360,000 followers yesterday. Its actually a vine. His final sunset from space. How cool is that . Isnt that amazing . So carson had reed in the orange room back in july during the world cup and asked him what he was going to do when he came back here to earth, and heres what he had to say. I think the first thing im going to do is hug my kids. Thats number one. And then maybe a trip to the today show. Who knows . Did you hear that . We know somebody. Yeah reed come on into our orange room. We will paint it whatever color you want. Well get rid of the sofa. I know you like that matt. Yeah. Way to go. Any excuse. Meanwhile, was that a snuggie he was wearing when he got back . Astro snuggie. For our astronauts. Reed well get you a today show snuggie if you come here. Well also get you some pajama jeans. Tamron thank you. Coming up why did he not ask his own father for advice when he was deciding to run for president . More of our revealing conversation with former president george w. Bush. Plus the legend of led zeppelin grows. Did lead singer robert plant actually tear up a reunion contract worth 800 give it to me, al Million Dollars . First this is today on nbc. Coming up help getting some zzs. Were looking at the latest ways to monitor your own as we kick off a weeklong look at sleep. And on its a marshmallow world in the winter when the snow comes to cover the ground its a time for play, its a whipped cream day i wait for it all year round in winter its a marshmallow world so heres the new living room.