UNDATED (CNN) -- A rare spring snowstorm is hammering parts of the Northeast, threatening up to 16 inches of snow. Here's a look at the blast of what could be a record-setting winter weather.

It was a mild winter across the Northeast, and the warmest March on record, but now residents are bundling up against a springtime snow storm.

Central and western Pennsylvania are expected to feel the brunt of the storm, with West Virginia and parts of New York and Ohio all under snow advisories.

The system could pile on 16 inches in some areas, and will likely cause headaches for commuters at airports and on the roads. The wet, heavy snow could weigh down tree branches and bring down power lines.

Such an icy blast is rare for April. Many areas are expected to set snowfall records. The wintry weather is an unwelcome surprise for this Pennsylvania nursery owner. Joanne Alvetro says, "This is its blooming season, it isn't going to get it back. These things only bloom in this season, and if they get frozen back and think they should go dormant, that's it for that year."

Rain from the same storm system dampened commutes from Washington DC to Main and wind gusts of up to 40 miles per hour crashed huge waves onto the shore of Lake Erie in Cleveland, Ohio.

The last major snowstorm to hit the East Coast was back in October. The ground won't be white for long. Temperatures in the region are expected to rise into the 40s and 50s this week, with overnight lows staying above freezing.