Will it snow today? Millions under winter storm watches, alerts across the eastern US

Millions in the eastern U.S. continued to get their first real taste of winter weather on Friday with a storm that's bringing rain and up to a foot of snow to higher elevations. Light snow could even reach as far south as North Carolina, forecasters said.

As of Friday morning, nearly 10 million people were under winter storm warnings or winter weather advisories, most in the eastern part of the country including parts of New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, western Virginia, western North Carolina and Kentucky.

Another cluster of advisories was in place Friday across the portions of Washington, Idaho and Montana, where heavy snow is possible through Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

First snow? When will first snow fall?

Freeze watches were also in effect in some areas through Friday and Saturday. For many in the Northeast, daily high temperatures jumped down from Wednesday in the 60s and 70s to Thursday in the 40s and 50s.

As for snow, the storm will also likely bring at least 6 inches to northeast Pennsylvania and southern New York, and up to a foot in the mountains of West Virginia, Maryland and southwest Pennsylvania by the time it winds down later Friday.

It will be the first significant snow of the season over the central and northern Appalachians.

Afraid of hypothermia, icy roads? How to stay safe during snow storms.

Meanwhile, northern California and the Pacific Northwest face heavy rain and strong winds after a "Bomb Cyclone" was blamed for two deaths. The National Weather Service warned Friday of flooding, rock slides, debris flows and more power outages.

Friday weather forecast map

Friday Northeast weather forecast map

Warning vs. watch vs. advisory: What do they mean?

The National Weather Service issues winter weather advisories, watches and warnings when snow and ice threaten your area. Here's what they all mean:

• A winter weather advisory is issued when snow, blowing snow, ice, sleet, or a combination of these wintry elements is expected, but conditions should not be hazardous enough to meet warning criteria. Be prepared for winter driving conditions and possible travel difficulties. Use caution when driving.

• A winter storm watch is issued when there is the potential for significant and hazardous winter weather within 48 hours. It does not mean that significant and hazardous winter weather will occur ? it only means it is possible.

• A winter storm warning is issued for a significant winter weather event including snow, ice, sleet or blowing snow or a combination of these hazards. Travel will become difficult or impossible in some situations. Delay your travel plans until conditions improve.

(This story has been updated to add new information.)

Contributing: John Bacon, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Snow storm forecast puts many in East under winter weather watches