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.

NEW YORK — New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are under winter storm warnings today as the entire region braces for snow. Tri-State Area officials have been issuing warnings and discussing the states' preparations in the days leading up to the storm.

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.