(CNN) — A blast of Arctic cold air is set to sweep across the country just as family and friends take to the roads and skies to gather for Thanksgiving. Parts of the Rockies and Plains are already feeling the chill, but the temperature drop pushes south and east through the end of the week.

The cold plunge is already arriving in the Upper Midwest and northern Great Lakes Tuesday night into Wednesday along with strong winds and a potent winter storm. Winter storm warnings and blizzard warnings are in effect for more than 5 million people in the region, including Minneapolis-St. Paul.

The Twin Cities could see up to 6 inches of snow beginning Tuesday night, which when combined with wind gusts up to 45 mph, will create dangerous travel conditions during the busy Thanksgiving travel rush

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