Most of the United States is being assailed with extreme winter weather this week as Arctic air blasts south from Canada, snow tracks up the Northeast coast and a potentially crippling winter storm takes aim at the South.

Houston mayor John Whitmire said it's "all hands on deck" as the city expects a winter storm that promises heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain. "I've been convinced that we are about to experience a very serious and dangerous whether episode,

Snow was falling in the Mid-Atlantic and New York City on Sunday. The coldest air in several years will descend across much of the country starting Monday, forecasters said.

"The level and extensiveness of the frigid air may be tough to match the rest of the winter," forecasters warned.

While it's not clear what impact a mix of rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow may have on the capital city, officials say now is the time to begin preparations.

The heaviest snow was expected to fall in New Jersey between 4 and 9 p.m. Sunday, with totals of up to 8 inches.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning at 9:21 a.m. on Sunday in effect until Monday at 9 a.m. for Westmoreland Ridges and Fayette Ridges.

The National Weather Service issued an updated winter storm warning at 1:53 p.m. on Sunday in effect until Monday at 7 a.m. for Berkshire County.

A Winter Storm Watch is in place from Tuesday evening through Wednesday early afternoon. At this point, all types of precipitation are looking possible (rain, snow, sleet and freezing rain). Impacts to travel and power are also looking possible.

We will likely experience temperatures at or below freezing starting this evening and continuing through Wednesday morning

VERNON, CT (WFSB) - Residents are preparing for the cleanup of Winter Storm Albatross. In Tolland County, the snow started falling around 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. By 11:00 p.m., there was already a few inches of snow. Plow drivers are doing the best they can to keep up.