A pair of powerful winter storms bringing snow, heavy rain and high winds are expected to create treacherous travel conditions this week. This comes as millions of people in the US prepare to hit the roads and pack airports ahead of Thanksgiving.

The first storm system is already underway in the central US, where it brought severe weather conditions on Monday.

Severe thunderstorms were accompanied by damaging winds that blew over tractor-trailers, dropped large hail and even spawned tornadoes that hit the region early in the work week.

The storm system now continues its journey north, where the FOX Forecast Center says it will begin drawing in frigid Arctic air from Canada, resulting in widespread snow across parts of the Dakotas and the Upper Midwest.

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Winter weather warnings have been issued across most of North Dakota, including winter storm warnings for cities such as Minot, Bottineau and Devils Lake.

The National Weather Service office in Bismarck, North Dakota, said heavy snow and blowing snow are expected in areas under the Winter Storm Warning.

According to the NWS, snow totals could fall between 4 and 12 inches and wind gusts could reach up to 50 miles per hour.

“If you must travel, make sure you have an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency,” forecasters warned.

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Snow totals in the Northern Tier and Upper Midwest will range from a dusting of snow in parts of Wisconsin and Minnesota to a meter or more in parts of North Dakota closest to the Canadian border.

When the storm subsides, parts of northwestern Minnesota could see 2 to 8 inches of snow by midweek.

The FOX Forecast Center said travel along Interstate 29 is out FargoNorth Dakota, to Sioux FallsSouth Dakota and Interstate 94 from Fargo to BismarckNorth Dakota, can be dangerous if the rain turns to snow.

On Wednesday, cities such as Minneapolisas well as Green Bay And Milwaukee Wisconsin will be on alert for the possibility of snow showers all day as colder air wraps around the storm system.

Millions in the mid-Atlantic Northeast will be hit by rain and snow

This chart provides an overview of powerful storms moving across the US this week.

(FOX Weather)

After the storm hitting the Midwest begins to weaken midweek, a second storm will form and quickly strengthen just as millions of people in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast finalize plans to to travel early ahead of the busy Thanksgiving holiday.

The FOX Forecast Center said the powerful low-pressure system will likely form in the Ohio River Valley and Great Lakes and strengthen quickly Wednesday.

As the storm center drifts toward the mid-Atlantic and northeast late this week, strong winds are expected to blow cold air, supporting snow from parts of the Great Lakes region to the Ohio Valley.

The cold air will likely be on the south side of the storm and blow into the Appalachians.

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The NWS office in Charleston, West Virginia, says heavy snow is possible at higher elevations, which could impact travel. Strong gusts of wind can also cause tree branches to fall, which can lead to power outages.

A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for parts of West Virginia, including Elkins.

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The FOX Forecast Center said snow is possible in that area by the end of the week into the weekend in parts of the Inland Ohio Valley, the North Atlantic and the Inland Northeast.

While winter weather is expected to impact inland parts of the region, much-needed rain will likely fall closer to the East Coast, including the busy Interstate 95 corridor.

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The rain is likely to impact drought conditions and support firefighting efforts in the region after numerous wildfires broke out in recent weeks.

The bad weather at the end of the week and on the weekend in the northeast has the potential to hamper air and road traffic just as the Thanksgiving travel week kicks off.

Rain may be heavy at times in the Northeast, but at this time the FOX Forecast Center does not expect flash flooding due to the recent record drought in the region.