A powerful winter storm system moving across the Great Lakes and Northeast is bringing snow and ice, frigid temperatures and possible whiteout conditions.

Snowfall has been forecast by meteorologists for a swathe of the country spanning from the Midwest to the East Coast.

A more intense round of snow arrives Wednesday afternoon as an Arctic front moves through the region. Conditions could produce snow squalls with localized heavier snow showers. Accumulations will vary due to the scattered nature of the snow, but most areas should see another half inch to 2 inches by early evening.

Millions of Americans live in areas under winter storm alerts stretching from northern Minnesota to the Eastern Seaboard.

Cities across the Northeast including New York, Boston and Philadelphia could see snow and gusty winds on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, AccuWeather reported. Baltimore and Washington, D.C, may see Light snow or flurries late New Year's Eve into New Year's Day.

Though it wasn’t a white Christmas, a strong storm is expected to deliver impactful snow and ice that could snarl travel.

It wasn’t a white Christmas. But it will surely be a white weekend. An area of low pressure approaching the tri-state Friday is expected to bring accumulating snow by late afternoon into Saturday morning.

A new map from the National Weather Service (NWS) shows the overall weather forecast and winter storm warnings. Snow has reduced significantly, as have sleet accumulations for the area of New York and New Jersey.