22 states under weather alerts as millions brace for winter storm

A massive winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow and a torrent of rain to most of the northern United States this week, "with almost all of the country experiencing some form of notable weather," forecasters said Tuesday. 

The upper-level pattern will intensify in the coming days as millions of people, from the Pacific Northwest to the Northeast, brace for an oncoming blanket of snow, frozen rain, strong winds and potential flash flooding that prompted winter weather alerts in 22 states, with five states under blizzard warnings. This week's coast-to-coast storm system "will bring numerous weather hazards and significantly anomalous temperatures" stretching from Washington to Maine. 

Particularly severe conditions are expected in some midwestern states, including Minnesota, which may see near-record precipitation. That is far from the only place preparing for an onslaught of winter weather, as roughly a foot of snow is expected to cover Salt Lake City between Tuesday and Wednesday, while Denver will likely get about six inches with another two feet of snow expected in the Rocky Mountains.