A storm emerging from the Rockies is forecast to bring ice, snow and rain to a large portion of the country beginning this weekend, possibly affecting millions of Americans.
According to AccuWeather, more than a dozen states are in the path of the storm. Ice and snow are forecast in the middle of the country, and rain and thunderstorms are expected across the South.
The National Weather Service said early Friday that cold high pressure will slowly move eastward to the the Southeast and Central Appalachians by Sunday.
“The cold air and upper-level energy over the Great Lakes and Northeast will create lake-effect snow downwind from Lakes Erie and Ontario through Sunday,” the weather service said. “In addition, moderate to heavy lake-effect snow will develop downwind from the Upper Great Lakes through Sunday, too.”
Moderate to heavy upslope snow also was expected over parts of the Central Appalachians on Friday, the weather service said.
AccuWeather said snowflakes could fly as far south as northern Oklahoma, and there could be enough snow to shovel and plow from central Nebraska to Ohio through early Monday.
“The accumulating snow, which could approach or exceed a half a foot, is expected to bring travel to a standstill in places like Kansas City, St. Louis, Indianapolis and Cincinnati,” said AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham.
Storm to move to the Southern Plains by Saturday
Additionally, the weather service said, the lead front is expected to move to the Southern High Plains by Saturday afternoon and to the Southern Plains by Sunday.
“The storm will produce significant wintry weather, with impacts over the Central Plains by late Saturday and the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys on Sunday,” the weather service said. “Additionally, the storm will create severe travel disruptions.”
Forecasters said areas in the Central Plains and Central Mississippi Valley, especially along and north of Interstate 70, are “likely to experience heavy snowfall,” with a high chance of at least 6 inches of snow from late Saturday into Sunday.
Furthermore, sleet and freezing rain are expected from eastern Kansas and the Ozarks extending eastward to the Tennessee and lower Ohio Valleys going into Sunday, the weather service said.
“A major freezing rain event is expected to unfold, making for dangerous ice accretions across the northern Ozarks, middle Mississippi Valley and Ohio Valley this weekend,” Buckingham said. “Power outages, extensive tree damage and lengthy travel days will be a concern in the worst-hit areas.”
Thunderstorms expected in southern US
The weather service said rain is expected to develop over parts of the Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley overnight Saturday, with some areas of showers and thunderstorms developing by Sunday morning.
“A line of thunderstorms is expected to develop across eastern Texas Sunday afternoon, strengthening as they move into Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama through Sunday night,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist Gwen Fieweger.
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at [email protected].
