We are tracking the return of the polar vortex next week as a wavy jet stream brings a blast of Arctic air to the Great Lakes.

Snow from the winter storm will move into Chicago tomorrow morning, starting off light before picking up speed Wednesday afternoon. For the second time this year, Southern Californians are evacuating their homes as heavy rain threatens new destruction in areas still recovering from last month’s devastating wildfires.

Widespread snowfall totaling 4 to 6 inches is expected through Wednesday, with isolated higher amounts along the North Shore.

The first storm dumped over a foot of snow in parts of the Appalachians and mid-Atlantic, including Washington, D.C., which was blanketed by over 6 inches of snowfall on Tuesday. The White House, National Mall and U.S. Capitol were covered in white.

A powerful and deadly winter storm that has been slamming the Plains and Midwest Wednesday morning moved into Chicago, Detroit and the Great Lakes during the afternoon.

The first bands of moderate to heavy snow moved across Chicagoland on Wednesday afternoon. Snow and slush will create hazardous travel for the Midwest as a snowstorm treks across the region. FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray reports from downtown Chicago where snow is covering the cityscape.