Winter storm expected to set new record low temperatures in parts of U.S.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- A major winter storm could drop up to 12 inches of snow from the south-central United States to the Mid-Atlantic coast, affecting more than 40 million Americans.

Disrupted power lines and dangerous traffic conditions are expected as temperatures could drop to single digits in the affected areas.

The winter storm is expected to cross the Appalachians and parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

New England may also be hit as it recovers from continuous winter weather.

"In addition to the widespread precipitation expected, the unusually cold weather is forecast to continue through much of the upcoming week for the eastern U.S., with temperature anomalies on the order of 20 to 30 degrees below average by mid-February standards," according to the National Weather Service.

National Weather Service expects new record low temperatures.

#Octavia bringing 12" of snow to some & is already causing slick, dangerous roads.@WeatherChannel keeps you prepared pic.twitter.com/wPg5fRSyUW

— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) February 16, 2015

Winter storm warnings and watches were are in effect on Monday for Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina.

Washington, D.C., could receive up to eight inches of snow by the afternoon.

The temperature surrounding Buffalo Niagara International Airport on Monday dropped to negative 10 degrees, breaking the record set in 1904 of negative 8.