Heavy snow is expected to blanket large portions of the Eastern U.S. while much of the country will endure dangerously cold temperatures in the coming days.

A winter storm warning has been issued for New York, New Jersey and Connecticut as the entire region could get blanketed in snow.

Snowfall forecasts have increased for a winter storm expected to blanket New Jersey with widespread areas of 4 to 8 inches of snow. Winter storm warning areas were expanded early Sunday and a state of emergency is in effect. National Weather Service and AccuWeather

The NWS has issued storm and extreme cold warnings this weekend as powerful Arctic winds plunge temperatures nationwide.

The updated forecast on timing and track of the storm calls for the snow to end from southwest to northeast as midnight approaches. “The heaviest precipitation looks to occur between roughly 4 and 9 p.m. during which time snowfall rates could reach or exceed 1 inch per hour,” the National Weather Service said.

Tens of millions of residents along the East Coast are bracing for several inches of snow Sunday followed by dangerously cold temperatures that will take hold in much of the country