Major winter weather was expected to hit parts of the U.S. on Monday through Wednesday, bringing heavy snow to some places and rain to others.

A strong winter weather disturbance from the Pacific was forecast to interact with low pressure and produce a band of precipitation and cold temperatures in California.

Lower temperatures throughout the state were expected, bringing some heavy snowfall across the mountains. Lower elevations were expected to see possible snow flurries during the morning hours with no snow accumulation, while light snow accumulations were expected in the Central Valley.

On Sunday, crashes and spinouts -- at least two of them fatal -- snarled traffic throughout the Sierra, KCRA-TV in Sacramento reported.

A 14-year-old boy died on Interstate 80 near Whitemore Grade when the truck he was traveling in went off the road and struck a tree. Another person was killed in a two-vehicle collision on Highway 89 just north of the Sierra County line.

The California Highway Patrol said the most important thing people can do is watch their speed: The agency is advising drivers to go no faster than 30 mph in the snowy conditions.

"We need to be aware of the dangers involved with winter driving," CHP's John Arrabit.

The foothills were expected to see between 4 inches and a foot of snow.

Meanwhile, near-record cold temperatures in the mid-20s were expected Tuesday. After Wednesday, the chance for rain is expected to increase.

Snow Blankets Parts Of Iowa

An Iowa snow storm over the weekend was just the beginning of a nasty weather week ahead, KCCI-TV in Des Moines reported.

KCCI Meteorologist Kurtis Gertz said a storm system targeting Iowa was already developing near Las Vegas and will start pushing into Iowa on Monday night. The system will continue to drop snow on the state through Wednesday, with 6 to 10 inches possible.

Tuesday morning snow is expected to become more heavy and continue through Tuesday night. The Des Moines metro faces a 90 percent chance of snow on Tuesday.

The storm system will also bring strong winds and arctic air, Gertz said.

High temperatures Monday will only reach 25 and continue to drop through mid-week as Wednesday's high struggles to reach 16. Lows on Wednesday night are forecast near 4 degrees.

Gusting Wind Whips Snow In Neb.

In Nebraska, more wind-whipped snow was expected to pile on top of the 3 to 4 inches already on the ground in many spots, according to the National Weather Service.

A winter storm watch posted for the western end of the state calls for 6 to 8 inches of snow and gusting winds, starting Monday afternoon, KETV in Nebraska reported.

The storm system was expected to move east, dropping up to 10 more inches of snow in many areas. Wind gusts to 40 mph are expected.

Since Sunday afternoon, 4 inches of snow was recorded in Hastings, with 3 inches in North Platte, Lincoln and the Weather Service office in Valley, just west of Omaha.

Drivers in the state's biggest city slipped and bumped as they adjusted to this year's first major accumulation.

Plow drivers prepped for the storm long before it arrived, saying they wanted to dig in before the next round arrives.

"You're looking at snow Monday night and most of the day Tuesday," said Omaha Public Works' Fred Thole. "By the time we get that plowed up, curb-to-curb, and hauled downtown, this could be a three-or four-day event."

Messy Commutes In Ky., Ohio, Wis.

A Louisville, Ky., Metro Police officer has been released from the hospital after being hit by a car during Monday morning's messy commute, reported WLKY-TV.

The officer's name has not yet been released. He was hit while responding to a series of crashes on the Gene Snyder Freeway.

Monday's snow started shortly before 4 a.m. It only lasted a couple of hours, but its effects lingered well into the morning.

While most local interstates only saw traffic slowdowns, the Snyder saw more than a dozen accidents on the expressway.

Some of its interchanges had as many as five wrecks, and traffic in some areas was backed up for miles.

The officer was struck at an overpass. Officials said he was trying to set up alert flares after a series of accidents when a woman lost control of her car and careened into him, hitting him in the leg.

"We got the call around 6:45. We knew an officer was en route. We were told he was hit in traffic in some way," said University Hospital representative David McArthur.

The officer was rushed to University with a large police escort blocking off roads to ensure a quick trip.

"When that happens, we think the worst and prepare for the worst, gather our whole trauma team in room nine, and wait for him to arrive," McArthur said. "As soon as he got inside, we started looking over him and talking to him. Thankfully, it wasn't as bad as we thought."

In Ohio, light snow falling across the Tri-State also made a mess of the Monday morning commute, reported WLWT-TV in Cincinnati.

Icy conditions were reported on several roads. Interstate 74 westbound was essentially closed by a crash and icy pavement just west of I-75. The ramp didn't reopen until almost 9:15 a.m.

Eastbound I-74 approaching I-75 wasn't much better for commuters, either.

Several minor accidents were reported, including Interstate 275 just west of the Indiana-Kentucky state line, I-74 near Ohio 128 and I-75 at Ohio 129. A more serious crash was reported on southbound Interstate 71 at mile marker 63 in Gallatin County.

Almost all of the accidents were non-injury, though some involved as many as eight vehicles.

Road crews in Wisconsin were put on alert Sunday night for the Monday morning commute, WISN-TV in Milwaukee reported.

Early Monday morning, 1 to 2 inches of snow fell across southeast Wisconsin. Most of the snow was a dusting, with larger accumulations to the north.

According to the Waukesha County dispatch, a car and semitrailer crashed, shutting down a lane on I-94 westbound near Highway 83. A spinout also closed part of the exit ramp at that intersection earlier in the morning.

Milwaukee's Department of Public Works has 55,000 tons of salt in reserve to keep the roads clear this winter. The snow duty manager for Milwaukee has been on call 24 hours a day since the end of October.

First Snow Of Season In Md.

Residents in Maryland saw their first measurable snow of the season Saturday, WBAL-TV in Baltimore reported.

Snow fell Saturday in Baltimore city and county and Harford and Carroll counties, among other areas.

Meteorologist Tony Pann said about 6 inches fell in Westminster and about 5 inches fell in Bel Air. The National Weather Service said about 6 inches fell in Frostburg, 2.5 inches in Gambrills in Anne Arundel County and 5 inches in Woodlawn in Baltimore County. Owings Mills got about 4 inches.

There were a number of accidents reported, including one on the Inner Loop of the Beltway, where a pedestrian was struck and killed by a tanker truck. Authorities advised drivers to stay off the roads Saturday night and early Sunday because of ice concerns.