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.

A winter storm is expected to reach Massachusetts Sunday afternoon and dump up to 8 in. of snow in most of the state, according to the National Weather Service. The storm is predicted to spread across the region between 3 p.

: Winter storm warnings issued for 8 counties expecting heavy snow Sunday MORE: Up to 10 inches of snow in possible ‘bomb cyclone’ winter storm Winter storm watches have been issued for eight counties in northern New Jersey as the state braces for a weekend storm system that could drop as much as 6 to 10 inches of snow in some areas and create dangerous road conditions across the region