Washington (**A major storm swept across the eastern United States this week, and millions of Americans could face power outages, flooding, and tornadoes.
Much of the northeastern United States, including New York City, Philadelphia and Baltimore, could see more than 3 inches of rain on Tuesday with gusts of wind that could exceed 50 miles per hour.
Parts of upstate New York are likely to see higher winds, with gusts of up to 70 miles per hour possible there according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The National Weather Service has issued gale warnings from Buffalo, NY to Watertown, NY, and inland to Syracuse, NY.
Areas located off the East Coast, such as Atlantic City in New Jersey and Ocean City in Maryland, are also under gale warnings with gusts of up to 60 miles per hour.
Most of the areas affected by the storm will experience heavy rain and high winds, but winter weather is expected in a small part of the country. Parts of interior Maine, including Augusta and Renford, could see more than 8 inches of snow Tuesday night through Wednesday, accompanied by gusty winds.
Meanwhile, several school districts in the Southeast closed schools Tuesday ahead of the arrival of potentially severe weather, including the threat of tornadoes.
Escambia County Schools in Florida announced that schools and district offices will be closed Tuesday as the Florida Panhandle prepares for severe thunderstorms. Several school districts in Georgia and the Carolina will also be closed Tuesday due to the threat of inclement weather.
Some large southeastern cities, including Jacksonville, Florida, will be hit hard before the hurricane sets in, the center of the storm** said. Savannah, Georgia. Charleston, South Carolina, and Wilmington, North Carolina, U.S., are at "heightened" risk of severe weather on Tuesday, with tornado risk highest in northwest Florida and off the coast of Carolina.
The first round of severe thunderstorms is expected to sweep across the Gulf Coast region Monday afternoon and evening. A strong thunderstorm moved eastward Monday afternoon, and a tornado warning was issued for parts of southeastern Texas and southwestern Louisiana.