A monstrous winter storm is expected to hit the middle and eastern parts of the United States throughout the later days of the week – and has already claimed two deaths.

States from Arkansas and northern Mississippi into the Ohio Valley and into the Northeast have sent out advisory warnings in anticipation for Winter Storm Avery.

Some 80 million people can anticipate being impacted by the storm on Thursday and Friday, according to USA Today.

The Deep South received the early signs of chilly conditions on Wednesday, where snow was reported in Arkansas, Mississippi and even in Louisiana.

In northern Mississippi, two people were killed and 46 passengers were injured when their tour bus flipped on its side due to slick conditions.

Killed were 70-year-old Betty Russell and 61-year-old Cynthia Hardin, both of Huntsville, Alabama, said DeSoto County Coroner Joshua Pounders.

The bus was operated by Teague VIP Express, based in Anniston, Alabama. The company posted a message on its Facebook page that said: ‘Our hearts and prayers go out to victims of this tragedy. Please keep everyone involved and families in your prayers.’

In northern Mississippi, two people were killed and 46 passengers were injured when their tour bus flipped on its side due to slick conditions

The National Weather Service said that at least .1 inches of snow was recorded near the Monroe Regional Airport in Louisiana. That beat the current in-season record for snow fall by 10 days in the area, according to Weather.com.

Ice storms are said to have the possibility to hinder power lines in the southern Appalachians.

Around the upper South, meanwhile, the storm spread scattered sleet and light snow. Flash flood watches were posted for parts of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.

‘This has the potential to be a dangerous and destructive ice storm for the Shenandoah and New River valleys of Virginia,’ said AccuWeather Meteorologist Jake Sojda.

Missouri – around the St. Louis area – is said to be a focal point for the storm and is expected to get up to four to seven inches of snow, according to Accuweather. Schools in the area – along with areas in southern Illinois – have already begun cancelling school.

Parts of the northeast were reportedly going to get upwards to a foot of snow by late Thursday and early Friday.

Power outages and difficult travel are expected from northern Maryland to Maine during the storm.

The Mid-Atlantic and Northeast interiors could see between four and eight inches of snow on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

Flight cancellations are also anticpated  to be the norm on the east coast where there will be one to three inches of snow over the D.C. to Boston area.

Avery is the first name on the list of winter storm names for the 2018-2019 season.