A surge of colder air is lining up across the Northeast, setting the stage for bursts of snow and fast-changing road conditions as winter tightens its grip. Forecasters say the atmosphere is primed for quick hits of intense weather as another round of Arctic chill presses south.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — If you stepped outside early Friday, you felt it: bitter cold across Northeast Ohio as Arctic high pressure settled over the region, dropping many inland spots into the single digits.

Some parts of northern New England were expecting up to 10 inches of snow. In Philadelphia, a "trace" was detected at the airport.

The active December winter weather pattern continues across the United States. The Northern Tier will remain the primary focus for multiple rounds of clipper systems heading into next week. These systems will keep snowy conditions in place as cold air lingers across the region.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — A fast-moving winter system is expected to sweep across Northeast Ohio late Saturday, bringing a quick burst of snow that could create slick roads overnight, according to the National Weather Service in Cleveland.

Black ice, snow showers and fog are pestering post-holiday travelers in the Midwest, while the Northeast is gearing up for its first major snowstorm of the season.

On Friday at 1:13 p.m. the NWS Spokane WA issued a special weather statement until 5 p.m. for Northeast Mountains.

A polar vortex broke, and severe temperatures are set to dominate most of the United States, including the Midwest, in the coming days.

On Tuesday at 11:54 a.m. the National Weather Service issued an updated winter weather advisory in effect until 6 p.m. for Northern Wayne and Southern Wayne as well as Susquehanna, Lackawanna and Pike counties.