Forecasters say much of the U.S. East Coast has a good chance of getting hit by gale-force winds, flooding, heavy rain and maybe even snow early next week by an usual hybrid of hurricane and winter storm.

Accuweather Meteorologist Bill Dager said Hurricane Sandy, a winter storm from the west and Arctic air from the north will come together and cause some major problems.

"It looks like rain is the most likely scenario at this time. It could be several inches of rain combined with the wind. That could cause some major flooding on some creeks and rivers. If you go up high enough in elevation, it really depends on the track of the storm, there could be some snow of significant accumulation perhaps above 2500 feet."

Hurricane Sandy has already left two dead in the Caribbean.