Winter Storm Fern is gearing up to make a cross-country trek late this week and into the weekend, bringing winter weather impacts to over half of the country's population.

A massive winter storm bearing down on the East Coast this weekend is expected to bring heavy snow and subzero temperatures to New York.

The weather has been blamed for the deaths of seven people, three in Tennessee, two in Louisiana, one in Texas, and one in Kansas, according to local officials.