Maryland and Virginia residents are preparing for a possibly significant winter storm that is expected to deliver heavy snowfall and dangerously low temperatures starting Sunday afternoon according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

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

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

Winter storm warnings issued by the National Weather Service were in effect for parts of the Mid-Atlantic through Monday morning, and warnings began in New England on Sunday afternoon. Heavy lake-effect snow was expected in western New York state Monday through Wednesday morning,