Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs A significant winter storm settled into portions of the Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast on Sunday ahead of dangerously low temperatures that will envelop much of the country in some of the coldest weather in years, National Weather Service forecasters said.The heaviest snowfall was expected north and west of the Interstate 95 corridor, with up to eight inches possible, according to the Weather Service.Up to seven inches of snowfall were recorded in preliminary observations in parts of West Virginia by Sunday afternoon, according to the Weather Service.Lighter accumulations were reported from Kentucky to Massachusetts by Sunday evening. In Philadelphia, football players for the Philadelphia Eagles made snow angels on the field before defeating the Los Angeles Rams.In New York City, snow began to accumulate on cars and grassy areas by Sunday evening.Forecasters at the New York office of the Weather Service said heavy snow was falling across parts of the Lower Hudson Valley and Northern New Jersey and warned that some areas could receive one to two inches per hour at times.The office also said on Sunday that it had received reports of the phenomenon known as “thundersnow” — when lightning and thunder occur during a snowstorm.Much of the Northeast is under winter storm warnings or winter weather advisories. A winter storm warning is issued when severe winter weather is expected or already occurring, and could make travel extremely dangerous or even impossible. An advisory is for less severe conditions.The New York City metropolitan area, Long Island, southern Westchester and coastal Connecticut are under winter weather advisories. Snowfall accumulations of three to five inches were expected, which may lead to slippery travel and snow-covered roads.Airports across the Northeast were experiencing delays and cancellations throughout Sunday afternoon and evening. Major airports around New York City, Philadelphia, Boston and Washington, D.C., were clearing snow and ice from their runways throughout the day, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.The Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C., treated its streets on Sunday and warned drivers to stay off the roads as it geared up for an influx of visitors for Inauguration Day.As the storm reached Massachusetts, the state reduced the speed limit for a portion of I-90 from the border with New York to Interchange 41.Immediately after the storm clears out early on Monday, arctic air will plunge across most of the south-central and southeastern parts of the United States, bringing several days of frigid conditions.This is the coldest air of the winter season so far, and in many cases the coldest in several years, forecasters from the National Weather Service warned.The high temperatures will be from below zero to single digits in the Northern Plains and the Upper Midwest; single digits and teens across the Rockies, the central Plains and the Midwest; the teens and 20s across the Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic; and between the 20s and 30s in Texas and the Southeast.The Weather Service said wind chills would be at dangerously low levels and hypothermia or frostbite could occur with prolonged exposure or lack of proper clothing.Wind chills from 30 to 55 degrees below zero are expected at times on Monday in the Rockies, the northern Plains and the Upper Midwest, and subzero as far south as Oklahoma and the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys.In Chicago on Sunday, temperatures were in the single digits at 11 a.m.Ann Marie Saviano, 51, who lives in the Garfield Ridge neighborhood on the city’s South Side, said she had plans to meet friends for brunch, go grocery shopping and attend a birthday party.“It’s that time of year we call hibernation season — when people retreat into their dens to stay warm and cozy for one to four days, and emerge ready to face the world when it’s a balmy 23 degrees,” Ms. Saviano said.Forecasters warned of a significant winter storm across the Gulf Coast states coming Monday, as a combination of frigid air and a storm system over the Gulf is expected to bring snow, freezing rain and ice to the region that could lead to major travel disruptions.As the storm moves eastward from Texas, it is forecast to sweep across Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and the Carolinas.The National Weather Service has issued winter storm watches for portions of Louisiana.The most snowfall is likely to be between the U.S. 190 and Interstate 10 corridors of Louisiana and southeast Texas, where four to six inches may accumulate.Reporting was contributed by Amanda Holpuch, Camille Baker, Robert Chiarito and Sara Ruberg.
