The sudden freeze that has chilled many who had experienced a somewhat toasty autumn in the Eastern United States is set to continue this week as far south as Florida, while heavy lake-effect snow will return near the Great Lakes and widespread snow is likely to blanket the interior Northeast through Friday.

In October and November, the average temperature in Central Park in New York was three degrees above normal. Since Thanksgiving, the temperature has averaged closer to 10 degrees below normal. This trend will continue for most of this week, especially on Thursday and Friday, after a quick-hitting storm system whips up strong winds that should make it feel even colder.

Here is what to expect in the days ahead:

Wednesday: A brief reprieve from the cold

Temperatures will briefly turn moderate in the east Wednesday, with high temperatures nearing their average for this time of the year, forecasters said. This is expected to be short-lived, as a swift and robust storm system will clip the northern tier of the United States, delivering more widespread light snow from the Midwest to the Northeast and ushering in even colder air.

The storm will move across the Great Lakes on Wednesday, with the heaviest snow over Northern Michigan as it pushes toward the East Coast into Thursday morning.

Precipitation is expected to begin from west to east Wednesday evening and overnight, mainly in the form of snow across the interior of the Northeast and a wintry mix getting closer to New York City.