Winter weather warnings have been issued in 11 states amid a massive snowstorm that is expected to dump up to five feet of snow in some areas. The warnings were issued in Virginia, Montana, Maryland, California, West Virginia, Idaho, Nevada, South Carolina, Colorado, Alaska, and Utah.

"Total snow accumulations 4 to 8 inches with winds gusting up to 35 mph, with the highest accumulations and strongest winds at and above 1500 feet in northern Carbon and northwestern Monroe counties. Lower elevations will receive significantly less snow and wind," the NWS said.

A winter weather advisory, calling for "up to 6 inches in the higher elevations," has been issued by the National Weather Service for an area including Pike and northern Wayne counties. In effect from 4 p.m. Thursday to 4 p.m. Friday, the advisory also covers Bradford and Susquehanna counties.

Washington, D.C. could see its first snowflakes of the season on Friday, while regions north and west of the city could see heavy accumulations from a storm system that is moving across the region.

Over 6 inches of snow is possible in parts of Pennsylvania, including the Pocono Mountains, as a winter storm brews in the Northeast.

While the Great Plains region sees "near blizzard" conditions Wednesday, parts of the Northeast were preparing for a winter storm.

Parts of Maryland and Virginia could possibly see up to a foot of snow as a winter storm moves across the region Thursday into Friday.