Upstate New York's Syracuse was hit with a winter wallop early on Wednesday (December 31), as a powerful lake-effect snowstorm buried the city under a thick blanket of snow.

The heavy snowfall, part of a broader weather system that brought rain, snow, and strong winds to the Plains and Great Lakes, has also made its way to the Northeast, leaving parts of the region bracing for impact.

The snow is expected to cause disruptions, with Syracuse residents facing potential travel chaos and power outages.

Winter storm warnings are now in effect for two states, as a potent snowstorm is forecast to dump nearly 2 feet (60 cm) of snow in the coming days, according to the National Weather Service.

Production: Daniel Lim/Reuters