A powerful storm system moving across the United States is expected to bring severe weather to the East Coast, including the New York region, raising concerns over damaging winds, thunderstorms and possible tornadoes.

Forecasters warned that tens of millions of people across the eastern US could be affected as the storm shifts eastward through Monday. The system is expected to generate dangerous thunderstorms and strong winds, with some areas also facing the risk of tornadoes.

Parts of the Great Lakes region have already seen heavy snowfall from the same weather system, with accumulations reaching several feet in some locations.

The National Weather Service said powerful winds stretching from Texas to upstate New York could threaten power lines and trees, while the Storm Prediction Center warned of severe thunderstorms, hail and possible tornadoes in parts of the country.

The widespread weather disruptions have already affected transportation and power supplies nationwide.

According to reports, more than 171,000 homes and businesses across the United States have lost electricity, while 1,492 flights have been canceled, with major disruptions reported in Minneapolis and Chicago.

A broad and erratic patchwork of severe weather rumbled across much of the US on Sunday, dumping heavy snow and making roads impassable in the Upper Midwest while damaging high winds swept across the Plains.

Forecasters said the storms would spread eastward by Monday, with mid-Atlantic states and Washington, D.C., at greatest risk for high winds and tornadoes.

The weather service warned that a line of severe storms with damaging winds would cross much of the eastern US by late Monday.

The storm threat is expected to enter the Appalachians early on Monday, then move toward the East Coast, where "severe thunderstorms with widespread damaging winds and several tornadoes" are expected, the service said.

Officials in some eastern states have urged residents to monitor weather alerts and prepare for rapidly changing conditions as the storm system approaches the East Coast.

(With input from AP)