A massive winter storm that will push across the northern U.S. in coming days could dump several feet of snow at higher elevations and bring dangerously cold temperatures, forecasters said Sunday.
AccuWeather reported on the possibility of “major travel disruptions,” adding that Minneapolis-St. Paul’s snowstorm “could rank among the all-time top storms for any month in the city’s recorded history.”
“There is a high probability that Minneapolis will pick up 18 inches of snow or more from the storm,” meteorologist Matt Benz told the outlet. “The February record of 13.8 inches of snow from a single storm is likely to be smashed.”
The arctic blast will sweep into the Pacific Northwest and then push across the northern Rocky Mountains and onto the Great Plains. It will bring heavy snow and strong winds, the National Weather Service said.
Forecasters issued winter storm warnings and advisories across the region beginning Sunday afternoon. Lesser snowfall amounts were expected at lower elevations.
Temperatures will drop drastically after Tuesday leading to dangerous wind chills, the weather service said.
Snow was also forecast across portions of North and South Dakota.
AccuWeather meteorologists warned that the storm could eventually stretch from coast to coast across the northern part of the United States. Icy weather is expected from Boston to Omaha, Nebraska.
Farther north, Canada is still experiencing frigid air amid the polar vortex.
Slightly farther south, some localities are reporting nearly record-high temperatures during an unseasonably warm February, despite the groundhog’s prediction. Rain is expected in Appalachia, the Ohio Valley, and the Mid-Atlantic.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.