The New York City area accumulated just above 4 inches of snow as difficult travel conditions are expected through Saturday while crews work to clean up this wintry mess.

As a winter storm system pushed east, it wreaked havoc with tornadoes in Illinois and snow, ice, wind, rain and lightning for a wide swath of the nation.

The timing of the winter storm is expected to turn roads treacherous on Friday evening across most of New Jersey with a mix of snow, sleet, freezing rain.

A winter storm watch alerts the public to the possibility of heavy snow, freezing rain or sleet. Winter Storm watches are usually issued 12 to 48 hours ahead of predicted severe weather.

An impactful shot of snow and ice will blast through the Northeast set to dump snow threatening post-Christmas holiday travel at major airports and highways across the region.

Widespread travel disruptions are expected with heavy snow falling Friday night into Saturday morning across most of New Jersey.

Several days of rain and powerful wind gusts are in the forecast this week when a winter storm has already led to evacuation warnings in parts of Los Angeles County settles into Southern California for the holiday.