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

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.

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.

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