Winter storm slams U.S. with heavy snow, rain, travel delays and record cold

A massive winter storm is sweeping across the country

(CNN)- A massive winter storm — the third this week — is sweeping across the country, bringing a mix of dangerous weather conditions that stretch from the Northeast to the Gulf Coast.

Meteorologist Chris Warren says the Northeast will bear the brunt of the snowfall today.

“The Northeast is gonna see the majority of the snow on Tuesday,” Warren said, adding that parts of the Southeast will see “a wet, sloppy mess with rain heavy at times.”

The system is delivering northern snow, southern rain and even the potential for Gulf Coast tornadoes. Farther west, residents are still digging out from earlier rounds of snow and ice.

Travel has also been affected. Officials warn some airports could see ground stops after one was issued last night at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

Chicago resident Lewis Rivera, out clearing snow, summed it up: “You know you are in Chicago. You got to be ready for any storm.”

In northern Illinois, authorities say a child suffered minor injuries after a school bus crash Monday. Video from Topeka, Kansas, shows bus drivers pulling off a slick highway as conditions deteriorated. Kansas City also set a new daily snowfall record.

Not all reactions to the storm are grim. In Minneapolis, one man is turning the deep freeze into art. Ice castle builder Tim Bauman says his creation includes lights, caverns, ice slides — and even a bar.

Forecasters say the cold snap won’t end quickly. New record low temperatures are expected in several regions today.