Monday's live blog: Cross-country storm to impact millions

A dangerous winter storm is set to bring everything but the kitchen sink for millions. We're keeping an eye out for blizzard conditions and a tornado outbreak with flooding rains and gusty winds on top of everything. Follow along with this live blog for frequent updates.

More than half a foot of snow has fallen in some spots across the Plains and the winds are still kicking.

Meanwhile, several severe thunderstorm warnings are active in the southern Plains and lower Mississippi Valley as the afternoon commute gets underway. Severe thunderstorm and tornado activity is expeced to last until after dark. Be sure to have at least three ways to receive a weather warning and your notification volume turned up so you hear the warning when you are asleep.

For those heading to or watching the College Football Playoffs in Houston tonight, keep a close eye on the WeatherRadar. The tornado watch is effective.

"Can't even see the road!" Winds are whipping across the Front Range and Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles this afternoon as the massive winter storm continues.

Additionally, on the warmer side of the storm, a tornado watch has been issued and includes Houston and Galveston, Texas, as well as Lake Charles and Lafayette, La. These storms will be hitting through the afternoon commute. Take extra care before you head out onto the roads and check the WeatherRadar first and monitor warnings. It's going to be a bumpy afternoon and evening.

Heading out onto the roadways? Take extra precautions!

Meteorologist Mary Mays was live at 12 p.m. EST/ 11 a.m. CST with a forecast update.

Conditions have been deteriorating all morning across the Plains, especially in Kansas and Nebraska where white-outs are occurring.

Very heavy snow will continue throughout the day and blizzard warnings and winter storm warnings are active. Up to 8 inches of snow could pile up with localized spots seeing a foot. Adding the gusty winds in the 40 to 50 mph range will mean visibility drops quickly.

Multiple winter storm warnings, winter weather advisories, flood watches and warnings, blizzard warnings, winter storm watches, high wind warnings, and wind advisories blanket the U.S. map from the Front Range to the East Coast. Following a large winter storm over the weekend, this storm is causing even more problems to start the week.

See today's Task Force Hub for all the resources you need to keep up with this event.