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 Sunday as the entire region braces for snow. Tri-State Area officials had been issuing warnings and discussing the states' preparations in the days leading up to the storm.

A polar vortex is slated to sweep most of the continental US bringing winter storm warnings and a hazardous freeze to millions.