A "bomb cyclone" is ushering a period of cold and snow for some parts of the United States for the end of the year.

A powerful, rapidly intensifying storm sweeping across the central and eastern US is bringing a messy mix of blizzard conditions, severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and a sharp reality check to winter-like cold,

A mix of snow and ice bore down on the U.S. Northeast early on Saturday, disrupting post-holiday weekend airline traffic and prompting officials in New York and New Jersey to issue weather emergency declarations even as the storm ebbed by mid-morning.

Snow storms dumped snow on both ends of the country, but how much fell varied widely. Maps show snow totals across USA.

Travel conditions on Monday will be treacherous as a powerful Winter Storm takes aim at Michigan. High winds, blowing snow, and poor visibility expected.

As a winter storm system pushed east, it wreaked havoc with tornadoes in Illinois and snow, ice, wind, rain and lightning for a wide swath of the nation.

Forecasters warned that whiteouts had reduced visibility in Minnesota. More heavy snow was expected in the region through Monday.

New York is expected to get blanketed with up to 10 inches of snow starting later Friday, the most in nearly four years.

A major winter storm is pummeling the Tri-State Area with snow and ice after New York and New Jersey declared states of emergency.