Major winter storm heads toward Mid-Atlantic and Northeast

A major winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow to parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast on Sunday before dangerously low temperatures envelop much of the country in some of the coldest weather in years , National Weather Service forecasters said.

Snow began in the Appalachians Sunday morning and was falling in parts of the Mid-Atlantic by late morning and early afternoon. The heaviest snowfall is expected north and west of the Interstate 95 corridor, with up to eight inches possible, according to the weather service.

Areas from northern Maryland to Boston could receive three to six inches of snow, and some locations could receive more. Northern Virginia and southern New Jersey may see a mix of rain and snow.

Much of the Northeast is under winter storm warnings or winter weather advisories. A winter storm warning is issued when severe winter conditions are expected or already occurring that could make travel extremely dangerous or impossible. An advisory concerns less serious conditions that may cause inconvenience and still require caution.

The New York metropolitan area, Long Island, southern Westchester and coastal Connecticut are under winter weather advisories until 4 a.m. Monday. Snow accumulations of three to five inches are expected, which could make travel slippery and snow-covered roads through Sunday afternoon and night. There were some flight disruptions at LaGuardia Airport on Sunday.

Forecasters at the New York Weather Bureau warned that snowfall rates could reach an inch per hour at times. Inland areas of New York State, such as the Lower Hudson Valley, may receive up to eight inches of snow.