Heavy snow and blustery winds are expected to hit parts of the U.S. from Wednesday through to Thursday evening—and in some cases into Friday morning—which, according to the National Weather Service (NWS), could bring up to 24 inches of snow to certain areas.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data shows snow has already appeared across much of the northern U.S. and the mountainous West.

Wintry weather is set to continue across the UK today as temperatures fell below zero overnight and snow and ice affected some areas.

Several states are expecting snow on Thanksgiving, which could snarl traffic as millions travel for the holiday.

Millions of Americans from the Midwest to the Northeast to the South are facing the first deep freeze and snow of the season.

Schools are closed and traffic has come to a standstill as parts of north-east England are blanketed with snow. Most of the region is under a Met Office yellow warning for snow and ice until 21:00 GMT, with frequent wintry showers and significant snow build-up expected.

Accumulating snow or a wintry mix begins around daybreak Tuesday, then continues until the evening. We’ll generally see a quarter to half inch of snow or ice pellets (locally higher up to 1 inch is possible) for areas near I-96 and portions of I-94.

Denver has officially passed the benchmark for its fifth-latest first snow on record, and the chances for snowfall this week remain slim, according to the National Weather Service.

But if you do need to use your car in snowy or icy conditions, careful preparations can help. Wear warm clothes and comfortable shoes. Pack a waterproof coat, hat, gloves, sturdy boots and a blanket to keep you warm in case you do get stuck or have to leave your car. You may also need sunglasses in bright weather.

Snow in Hawaii isn't as unusual as you might think, but some northern U.S. cities are seeing significant delays to the start of their winter season.