Weather alerts issued across US as winter storm expected to hit East Coast

A weather warning has been issued issued A winter storm is affecting the entire United States as it is predicted to hit the East Coast.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), winter storm warnings have been issued for states including New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The NWS warned Friday of heavy snow and extreme ice from Maryland to Maine.

“The chance of heavy snow is increasing for the interior of the Mid-Atlantic and New England from Saturday afternoon into Sunday,” the NWS announced Friday. “The greatest uncertainty in the transition from rain to snow is from southeastern Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey to southern New England.”

“The combination of heavy, wet snow and strong winds could cause some power outages and tree damage in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts,” it added. “Strong onshore winds could cause minor flooding along the mid-Atlantic and southern New England coasts, especially during Sunday morning's high tide cycle.”

Despite heavy snowfall in other areas, cities such as Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Philadelphia were not expected to see significant snowfall. Instead, the forecast called for rain and sleet due to the warm temperatures.

But the East Coast isn't the only region under winter storm warnings, according to the NWS. States such as New Mexico, Washington and Oregon are also facing their own winter storm warnings.