AccuWeather.com

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist

Jan 11, 2012; 5:13 PM ET

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Parts of the Great Lakes and Northeast will once again turn into a winter wonderland later this week. Photo by Photos.com.

Winter is in the process of making a comeback across the eastern two-thirds of the U.S. with a far-reaching blast of colder air and the return of substantial snow in the works.

Far-Reaching Cold Shot

The storm system marking winter's return will spend today plunging southward through the Plains, erasing Tuesday's record warmth from the Upper Midwest.

The noticeably colder air will continue to spread all the way to the Gulf and East coasts through Friday, shaving a general 10 to 30 degrees off high temperatures from the previous day.

Blustery winds ushering in the chilly air will create even colder and, in some cases, dangerous AccuWeather.com RealFeel® temperatures.

Winter is not only making a comeback in terms of frigid temperatures, but also substantial snow that will not just be confined to the typical snowbelts downwind of the Great Lakes.

Wind-Whipped Snowstorm Eyes Chicago, Western Great Lakes

A bit of snow accompanying the cold air invading the Upper Midwest today will evolve into a more disruptive and wind-whipped snowstorm over the western Great Lakes Thursday and Thursday night.

Up to a foot of snow will blanket some areas around Lake Michigan.

With the AccuWeather.com Winter Weather Center expecting a total of 3 to 6 inches, According to Chief Meteorologist Elliot Abrams, "The weather will start off Thursday like most days this winter, but the day will end as a real bear for travel."

The snow event later Thursday into Thursday night in Chicago/Milwaukee is forecast to bring the most snow of the winter thus far. The cities have picked up a mere 1.9 and 1.7 inches respectively thus far this winter.

With howling winds, near-blizzard conditions are anticipated in Chicago just in time to disrupt the evening commute.

Quick-Hitting Snow, Squalls Threaten the Appalachians

Another band of snow will develop and press northward from the spine of the Appalachians to the eastern Great Lakes Thursday night.

This snow will be quick-hitting, accumulating several inches in less than six hours in some locations. Blinding squalls threaten to worsen the situation for motorists by rapidly reducing visibility and icing up the roads at the same time.

For a larger version of this map, visit the AccuWeather.com Winter Weather Center.

While creating headaches and nightmares for travelers, the impending snow is great news for snow enthusiasts and ski resort operators.

Snow, Wintry Mix Returns to the Northeast Starting Tonight

Before both snow events commence, snow and an icy mix will advance northeastward from parts of northern Pennsylvania to northern New England.

The wintry weather will transpire from the storm that brought the South drenching rain and severe weather.

Temperatures will remain too warm for snow to make an appearance when the rain reaches the I-95 corridor from Washington, D.C., to New York City, but flash flooding in poor drainage areas is a concern.

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This Comeback Marks a Pattern Change

Prior to this week, the winter has been relatively tame across the eastern two-thirds of the nation in the wake of the historic late-October snowstorm.

Unseasonably warm air has been in control much of the past couple of months with only a few bouts of cold and snow. So far, West Texas and New Mexico has endured the worst of winter.

Once winter makes its comeback this week, AccuWeather.com Expert Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski expects that it will not be quick to depart the Northeast.

"Cold air has been in and out during much of the winter thus far in the Northeast, like low tide on the beach."

"The cold push coming in this weekend and those that follow may be more like the waves leading up to high tide. The waves of cold air may just keep coming, thanks to an anticipated major shift in the jet stream."