A polar vortex is slated to sweep most of the continental US bringing winter storm warnings and a hazardous freeze to millions.

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. Winter storm warnings issued by the National Weather Service are already in effect for parts of the Mid-Atlantic and will begin Sunday afternoon in New England.

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.