Winter storm to bring snow, ice across US this weekend

Extreme weather to impact over 1,300 miles and into next week, bringing hazardous snow, ice, rain, and thunderstorms

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A major winter storm is set to impact over 1,300 miles of the United States this weekend and into next week, bringing hazardous snow, ice, rain, and severe thunderstorms. The storm, which is expected to develop on Saturday afternoon in the Central Plains, will track eastward, affecting areas from the Mississippi Valley to the East Coast.

According to the National Weather Service, snow and ice will stretch across much of the country, particularly from the Central Plains to the Mid-Atlantic. Heavy snowfall is expected, with some regions seeing up to 12 inches, particularly in parts of Missouri, Illinois, and Ohio. Areas in the Central Appalachians, along with southern and central Ohio, are also bracing for significant accumulations.

However, the storm’s impact won't be confined to snow alone. In warmer regions, such as the South, severe thunderstorms are expected, with damaging winds, hail, and even a risk of tornadoes. The Storm Prediction Center has issued a level 2 severe weather warning for parts of Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, where thunderstorms may also bring the risk of flooding due to heavy rain.

Icing could be a major concern for areas south of the heaviest snow bands, particularly from Kansas to the Appalachians. With ice accumulations of over a quarter-inch possible in places like Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky, travel disruptions and power outages are anticipated. Experts warn that even light ice could create hazardous driving conditions, while heavier ice may snap power lines and tree branches, leaving many without electricity.

By Tuesday, the storm will push off the East Coast, but the cold it brings will linger. Arctic temperatures are forecast to plummet by up to 30 degrees below normal across much of the eastern US, locking in whatever snow and ice have already fallen. This extreme cold will last into mid-January in some regions, prolonging the challenging winter conditions.