3 Deaths in Minnesota From Wintry Blast as Storm Heads East

— -- A wintry blast that slammed into the northern Plains states is responsible for three deaths in Minnesota, a state which was hit particularly hard with heavy snowfall and strong winds over the past two days.

On Friday evening, Minnesota State Patrol tweeted that the three deaths occurred between Thursday 10 p.m. and Friday 9 p.m. One of the fatalities was a 42-year-old man who died in a two-vehicle crash on icy Highway 59 early Friday.

During that time period, there were 447 crashes, which resulted in the fatalities, as well as 52 injured individuals and one seriously injured individual.

The worst of the storm has moved out of that area, and less-than-stellar conditions are expected is further east, says ABC News meteorologist Daniel Manzo.

"By late Saturday night and into Sunday, we will be seeing widespread lake effect snow through the western Appalachians and into interior parts of the Northeast," Manzo says. "The big question is how much snow will make it down to the major cities."

Manzo adds, "At this time it looks possible that some snow will be possible in the higher elevations near I-84 overnight on Saturday and into early Sunday. Maybe some flurries make it to New York City on Sunday night -- it is possible."

ABC News' Rex Sakamoto contributed to this report.