Winter Storm to Bring Snow, Ice, Thunderstorms Across 1,300 Miles of US

A powerful winter storm is set to bring heavy snow, hazardous ice, rain, and severe thunderstorms to over 1,300 miles across the United States this weekend and into next week, affecting millions from the Plains to the East Coast.

While snow and ice so far this winter have been largely confined to northern states, this storm is expected to disrupt that trend, bringing dangerous conditions to areas not usually hit by winter weather. For regions too warm for snow and ice, severe thunderstorms could develop, including areas still recovering from December’s deadly storms.

The Winter Storm Severity Index warns of major impacts, with significant disruptions to daily life, dangerous or impassable driving conditions, and widespread closures, particularly in the Central US through Sunday.

The storm will take shape Saturday afternoon over the Plains, fueled by a surge of moist air from the Gulf of Mexico. By late Saturday, it will spread a mix of snow, rain, and ice across the Plains as it strengthens and moves eastward. By Sunday morning, the storm will reach the Mississippi Valley and parts of the Midwest, then continue into the Ohio Valley and Southeast. By Sunday night and Monday, the East Coast will feel the full force.

While the affected regions are clear, pinpointing which areas will see snow, ice, or rain—and how much—is still tricky. Small shifts in the storm’s track could alter the outcome entirely. Some areas may see snow that transitions to ice, while others could start with rain or ice that eventually turns to snow.

This storm has the potential to drop more than a foot of snow in some areas and cause significant ice accumulation, potentially leading to power outages as the coldest temperatures of the season follow in its wake.

Snow accumulation will vary, but it’s expected to blanket regions from parts of Kansas and Nebraska to the East Coast. The highest totals will likely hit the coldest areas, including parts of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia. Areas where warmer air causes sleet and ice may see less snow. For example, St. Louis may see over a foot of snow on Sunday—something that’s only happened four times in the city’s history.

On the flip side, states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Upstate New York may see little snow due to the storm tracking further south. However, some lake-effect snow is possible in Michigan and New York as wind patterns shift.

Ice will pose a major risk, particularly south of the heaviest snow. Significant icing is possible from Kansas and Missouri through the central Appalachians, and in parts of Maryland and Delaware. Travel may become “nearly impossible” in areas with the heaviest ice, with accumulations of 0.25 inches or more possible in parts of southern Missouri, southern Illinois, southern Indiana, and Kentucky.

Even light ice can create treacherous conditions, turning roads into skating rinks and causing vehicles to lose traction. More significant ice accumulation could damage trees and power lines, leading to widespread power outages and making travel nearly impossible. Similar storms in the past have resulted in severe disruptions, with emergency responders struggling to reach those in need due to icy roads.

In addition to snow and ice, the storm will bring soaking rain and potentially severe thunderstorms to the South, with a level 2 out of 5 risk for severe storms in parts of Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi on Sunday. These storms could include damaging winds, hail, and even tornadoes. A recent tornado outbreak, including EF3-rated tornadoes, left extensive damage across the South in late December. Heavy rain could also lead to flooding, especially in the Southeast.

By late Monday, the storm will exit the East Coast and gradually diminish in intensity. But the cold front that follows will bring a sharp drop in temperatures, plunging as much as 30 degrees below normal for much of the eastern two-thirds of the country. This cold air will stick around for much of January, locking in whatever snow and ice has already fallen.