Storms are raging across the central United States from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes ahead of an arctic blast that could bring record shattering cold to the South.
More than 20 million residents have been issued a tornado warning as of Thursday afternoon, according to forecasters at the National Weather Service.
Designated watch was placed in four pars of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., North Carolina and South Carolina.
Specifically, the tornado watch included Northern Virginia, central Pennsylvania and the eastern West Virginia panhandle.
Pictured: a map showing areas that have been issued a tornado watch that is affecting 20 million people so far
‘An extensive squall line of strong to severe thunderstorms is expected to develop during the late afternoon into this evening, near and east of the Appalachians from parts of New York to the Carolina,’ the Storm Prediction Center announced.
‘At least a few tornadoes and scattered to widespread damaging winds are possible.’
According to the Storm Prediction Center: ‘few tornadoes are likely with a couple intense tornadoes possible’ and ‘widespread damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts to 75 mph.’
In West Virginia, around 3,000 people received warnings.
To distinguish, a tornado watch means conditions are favorable for one to form but does not mean one has been officially seen.
Strong winds have brought down trees and power lines from Tennessee to North Dakota after tropical Storm Olga swept in from the Gulf Coast.
Forecasters say the severe storms could now hit states from Alabama to New England.
Pictured: a shot of the Ventusky map that illustrates the freezing temperatures heading towards the central and east regions of the country
In just a few hours, temperatures are expected to drop as much as 30 degrees as a cold front blows in from Canada.
A freeze warning has been issued for several states across the country, including Texas, regions in California, the Carolinas and Georgia.
Many of those areas will see temperatures dip into the 20s and 20s starting Thursday and continue on into Friday.
Chicago has already seen it earliest snow fall in 30 years an temperatures below zero are being registered in the Rockies and Great Basin.
Wind gusts can be seen in central U.S. states like Indiana and traveling from Canada into the Dakotas
The National Weather Service is telling people to take precautions and prepare for the oncoming freeze.
‘To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly,’ they said, according to Newsweek.
‘Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing.’
The cold burst has surpassed October weather records in the West, with temperatures coming in at a staggering below zero in the Rockies and Great Basin.
Subzero temperatures were also found at the Grand Canyon in Arizona and the infamous Peter Sink in Utah clocked in at minus 45.5 degrees.
Shockingly, single digit temperatures have been recorded in Altura, California, and in Grand Junction, Colorado.
It’s expected to see daily lows in state as southern as Texas as the chill moves from west to east.
The National Weather Service warned people of increased thunderstorms affecting coming from the west coast and battering the east
Subzero temperatures were predicted to be recorded Thursday afternoon in central region states
The cold front is travelling down from Canada and into the central U.S.
Winds gusts caused trees to topple in Tennessee and in the western Carolinas as wind gusts above 30 mph began funneling through the South.
So far, around 65,000 homes and businesses were left without power after outages darkened Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.
Temperatures ranging from the 20s to 40s are being recorded as far west as California and traveling into central states like Kansas
Chicago started the winter season early after the city was blanketed in record breaking snowfall that is the earliest in 30 years.
The unexpected weather was announced by the National Weather Service Chicago in a tweet from Wednesday afternoon.
The agency revealed that Chicago received 1.2 inches in snow and that it was the earliest snowfall amassing over one inch since October 20, 1989.
They also shared that the 1.2 inches of snow broke a 96-year-old daily snowfall record initially set with 0.7 inches on October 30 in 1923.
The National Weather Service created a table showing the shortest period between cold season snowfalls since 1907 (pictured)
The National Weather Service Chicago announced that the city broke a 30 year record and got its earliest snowfall of the season ever
One major concern are the thousands of children who plan on going trick-or-treating Thursday night.
Meteorologists believe places like the northwest suburbs will receive around five inches of snow in addition to early morning rain.
In response, several northeast Illinois cities have rescheduled or restricted designated trick-or-treat times.
NBC 5’s Paul Deanno says that measurable snow has fallen on Halloween only once before.
‘That was 2014, and it was only 0.1″. A trace fell 6 other times. So if our forecast holds, this will be the “snowiest” Halloween in Chicago history,’ he said.
NBC 5 reporter Paul Deanno said Halloween has only seen snow once before in 2014 and this year has the potential to be the snowiest Halloween
On Tuesday, the northern suburb of Vernon Hills said they were moving Halloween from Thursday to Saturday and the village of Winnetka followed suit.
‘This decision was made following resident requests to change the hours and in consultation with our Chief of Police,’ the village said.
‘The intention is to maximize participation in Halloween celebrations, while encouraging the safety of our youngest residents.’
Several areas in Illinois have decided to reschedule Halloween trick-or-treating to this Saturday because of the cold weather and snow
Pictured: An aerial shot of the Round Lake Heights neighborhood on Thursday after snow was reported in the area
However, some suburbs have remained steadfast in their decision to keep Halloween night as is.
Orland Hills Village Trustee Kyle R. Hastings said: ‘Halloween will be recognized on Halloween, October 31st for Trick or Treating from [3pm – 7pm].’
‘If we switch Halloween because it’s to [sic] cold and snowy for trick or treaters, we all also have to follow suit in switching Christmas if it’s too warm for Santa and his Reindeers, and then switching the Fourth of July if it’s too cold and wet for BBQ’s.’
Chicago residents were stunned on Wednesday when snow began to blanket their neighborhoods
Pictured: a map showing some parts of Illinois being blanketed in snow on Thursday and southern areas receiving rain
This map shows rain on Tuesday going through northern Illinois as a decent level of snow follows behind from the west side of the state
Chicago residents are shocked by the snow as they hasten to prepare, ABC 7 reported.
‘I can’t believe it this early. I started thinking. I don’t even have the snowblower set up yet. No shovels are out,’ Bob Anderson of Glen Ellyn said.
Resident Kristin O’Connor said: ‘I had no idea this would happen. It is depressing to think that Halloween is tomorrow and that we have already had our first snow of the season. But can’t control mother nature right?’
A school located right outside of Chicago shows the stark weather difference between Tuesday and Wednesday (pictured)
Roadways became a concern after the sudden snowfall, as officials reported car crashes and the Illinois Tollway used 196 snowplows
The O’Hare International Airport said they received 1.2 inches of snow and announced on Thursday that the weather has caused them to delay 280 flights.
A day before the snowfall, the National Weather Service declared a winter weather advisory heading into several locations, including Chicago, in Illinois.
They report that Chicago and surrounding areas could receive between two to four inches of snow, while the areas directly west could get as much as five inches.
Counties like McHenry, DeKalb, Kane, DuPage, Cook, LaSalle, Kendall, and Grundy are under the winter weather advisory until Thursday evening.
As snow is hitting Illinois, heavy rain is creeping across central southern states as it gradually makes its way up north to places like New York and Pennsylvania
Pictured: a map from Accuweather shows parts of northeast Illinois, including Chicago, receiving ‘heaviest snow’ on Friday morning
Chicago experienced their worst conditions between 11am and 4pm Wednesday, but snow is expected to cease by the weekend.
The National Weather Channel predicts as of Thursday morning that starting Friday, Chicago will experience primarily cloudy and wet whether until November 13.
Even so, temperatures will volley between the 40s, 30s and at it’s lowest the upper 20s.
Gusty winds reaching more than 40 mph throughout the day will keep Halloween chilly.
Another concern on Wednesday and heading into Thursday are the roadways.
Snowfall created slick roadways across northeastern Illinois and there have been reports of accidents.
Pictured: Leaves that have just begun to fall as the autumn season begins are now covered in inches of snow
Drone images from the EPA show residences near a small lake being showered in snowfall and nearing measurable snow
Pictured: Parts of Illinois can get up to six inches of snow while other areas can get as little as ‘coating’
The Illinois Department of Transportation said it sent out trucks to salt the affected areas.
The Illinois Tollway has deployed their entire department of 196 snowplows.
There was also an influx of power outages because of fallen tree branches and power lines mainly found in DuPage and Cook counties.
A ComEd spokesperson said there were 1,700 customers without power as of Wednesday evening at 5.30pm.
About 44,000 customers have had their power restored and 400 crews are still working in the field.