LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Portions of the eastern U.S. are gearing up for a wintry blast and winter storm warnings are up through tomorrow afternoon for some parts of the region just as holiday travel is ramping up.

The storm is coming out of the West where it left at least 11 people dead.

Forecasters say heavy rains and strong winds could impact airports up and down the eastern coast, while inland areas could see a half-foot of snow or more.

The storm is expected to generate a band of snow west of the Appalachians today and freezing rain from North Carolina and Tennessee into central and eastern Pennsylvania. Tonight and tomorrow, snow could spread from the Great Smoky Mountains to the eastern Great Lakes.

Some of the country's busiest airports — New York, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Boston and Charlotte, N.C. — could see big delays.

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