Colder weather will descend on much of the East Coast late this week and a winter storm will bring both rain and snow that could reach up to a foot at higher elevations in parts of the Northeast, forecasters said.

Millions in the eastern U.S. and Great Lakes region are getting their first real taste of winter weather on Thursday with a storm set to bring rain and up to a foot of snow to higher elevations. Light snow could even reach as far south as North Carolina,

Winter storm warnings and weather advisories are in place across 15 states, with heavy snowfall and winds expected. The warnings and advisories are in place across California, Maryland, Washington, West Virginia,