Forecasters say a huge winter storm that barreled through the western U.S. is getting stronger.

It has already blanketed the West with up to three feet of snow, sending cars and state troopers spinning across slick roadways. 

"All it takes is one look away for one little incident and you could kill somebody, so please be careful," said one state transportation worker.

The Mountain states were hit with snow and fierce winds.

The storm is expected to move all the way to the East Coast in just 48 hours.

In the middle of the country, parts of Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Wisconsin are bracing for blizzard conditions.

The storm is expected to bring up to a foot of snow in parts of the Midwest, followed by bitter cold.

"The real thing that distinguishes this from the run of the mill winter storm is that it's affecting such a large amount of real estate," said National Weather Service Meteorologist Paul Kocin.

At least three people have died in the storm.