UNITED STATES - As millions prepares for early travel ahead of Thanksgiving, a powerful winter storm is set to blast portions of the United States with accumulating snow, cold temperatures, strong winds, and rain. This is the first widespread winter storm of the season, according to FOX Weather, and the second storm is set to sweep across the U.S. this week.

This first storm system already produced severe weather on Monday across the southern Plains and lower Mississippi Valley, including several Severe Thunderstorm Warnings and Tornado Warnings in portions of Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana.

Strong winds were expected to develop on the western side of the system on Tuesday, with wind gusts reaching 50-60 mph in the Dakotas. As the storm system moves off to the north this week, arctic air will collide with the storm, potentially setting the stage for widespread snow across the Dakotas, as well as portions of Minnesota and Wisconsin.

By today, cities such as Minneapolis, as well as Green Bay and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, will be on alert for the potential of snow showers throughout the day as colder air wraps around the storm system.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, the second storm could have a more widespread impact, especially as people plan on traveling ahead of Thanksgiving. The inclement weather at the end of the week and into the weekend across the Northeast does have the potential to jam air and road travel.

For now, the National Weather Service has issued Winter Storm Watches for the mountains of eastern West Virginia and the western Maryland Panhandle from Thursday afternoon through Saturday evening.

Out West, a big stream of moisture was set to arrive last night and is likely to stick around through late in the week, possibly into the weekend, according to FOX Forecast Center.

AndNowUKnow will continue to keep an eye out on severe weather, so click back for more.