From coast to coast a winter storm has already begun to affect millions of Americans with strong winds that left nearly 200,000 Californians without power, and heavy snow and rain battered residents from coast to coast.

As of Tuesday evening, more than 60 million people in nearly 30 states were under a winter watch or winter weather warning, primarily in northern and eastern states expected to be hit by rain, snow, ice and flash flooding. .

Heavy snow in the village Minnesota snarling drivers on the highway while a blizzard dumped nearly three feet of rain in a matter of hours on western Montana.

On the west coast, one climatologist said the majority California residents will be able to see snow from the storm in what he called a “very unusual event,” which also brought winds of up to 80 miles per hour.

“Almost everyone who lives in California will probably be able to see snow on at least the nearest hills — and, in most cases, the nearest hills — possibly Friday morning,” said UCLA climatologist Daniel Swain.

Snow begins to fall around St. Paul’s Cathedral Tuesday at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota

Utah Department of Transportation officials asked citizens to stay off the roads Wednesday due to heavy snow

The 2,000-mile-wide storm is expected to make travel impossible in some areas, especially parts of Minnesota and cities along the Rocky Mountains.

The National Weather Service has issued winter storm, blizzard and high wind advisories for much of the western and north-central United States.

Some areas are expected to see up to two feet of snow and wind gusts of up to 60 mph Tuesday through Thursday.

Snow falling at a rate of two inches per hour and gusty winds will make travel conditions treacherous and possibly impossible in parts of the Northern Plains and upper Midwest, the service forecast said.

“Snow crews will be working across the state, but this storm could be crazy,” the Minnesota Department of Transportation tweeted.

According to meteorologists, the extreme weather is the result of winter fronts that pull in cold air from the north.

As of Tuesday afternoon, northern Minnesota already had about a foot of snow, and some experts are predicting that Minneapolis could be under a blizzard warning.

A freak winter storm targeted the Upper Midwest on Tuesday, threatening to bring blizzard conditions and freezing temperatures to several states

Vehicles drive through downtown Minneapolis as snow falls, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023.

Winter storm moves south on Interstate 35W in Minneapolis during rush hour

The 2,000-mile-wide storm is expected to make travel impossible in some areas, especially parts of Minnesota and cities along the Rocky Mountains

Vehicles drive past a “WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT AT 3:00 PM” sign along Interstate 35 near Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

Cities in the center of the storm could see difficult travel conditions, whiteout conditions, power outages and ice accumulation, according to federal forecasters.

Cities likely to feel the brunt of the storm include Chicago; Detroit; Hartford, Connecticut; Des Moines, Iowa; Madison, Wisconsin; Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Buffalo and Albany, New York.

Temperatures are expected to drop below -15F in more northern states like Montana.

The temperatures are on top of the snow that has already fallen in the northern Rockies and High Plains, which includes Montana, North and South Dakota.

Severe weather is expected to affect the central states as well.

About eight million people from Missouri to Oklahoma and Texas are facing storms, with forecasters warning of hail, strong winds and even tornadoes.

Oklahoma City and Tulsa will be most at risk for damaging winds from very fast-moving storms.

In northern Utah, several school districts decided to cancel classes Wednesday as the state has already received a large amount of snow.

“We are preparing here and ask that you stay safe and consider staying off the roads Wednesday morning,” the Utah Department of Transportation tweeted Tuesday.

Pedestrians stand as snow falls around them ahead of a winter storm Tuesday in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

A man clears snow from his car in downtown Bismarck, North Dakota, on Tuesday

The group packs up their gear at Gold Basin Yurt in the La Salle Mountains. Ski touring near Moab, Utah

Farther west, Californians began seeing strong winds and rainy conditions Monday night and throughout the day Tuesday.

A total of three fronts have begun to move into the state along with the possibility of snow in the northern and southern parts of the Golden State.

Forecasters are warning that up to four inches of snow could fall on the mountain peaks of Los Angeles County, and traffic disruptions are expected along the Grapevine.

The snow is so unprecedented that one National Weather Service meteorologist called the situation historic.

“It’s pretty amazing to see something like this in Southern California,” said NWS Senior Meteorologist Alex Tardy said.

As rain, snow and strong gusts hit much of the country, millions of Americans in the Southeast region are experiencing record high temperatures

As rain, snow and strong gusts hit much of the country, millions of Americans in the Southeast are experiencing record high temperatures.

Florida is expected to break several heat records on Thursday, with forecasters predicting temperatures as high as 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

If the Sunshine State hits 91 degrees, the record for the highest temperature in February, previously set at 90 degrees in 1962, will officially be broken.

The heat is caused by a high pressure front, which will cause Florida and some southeastern areas to heat up sharply.