Severe winter storm brings heavy snow and ice from the central Plains to the mid-Atlantic

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A severe winter storm is expected to bring a significant amount of wintry weather to the central and eastern U.S. this weekend and early next week.

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The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center (WPC) said that while confidence in the storm is increasing, there remains uncertainty about its timing and direction as it moves east.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

Impacts are expected to begin Friday in the northern Plains, followed by the central Plains, the Ohio and Tennessee valleys, and the mid-Atlantic states, with heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain expected in various locations.

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A winter storm warning is in effect for portions of central and south-central Kansas from Saturday afternoon through Sunday afternoon with the possibility of a mix of freezing drizzle, freezing rain, sleet and snow.

The NWS said snow and sleet accumulations of more than 4 inches are possible, with ice accumulations of more than a tenth of an inch likely. Wind gusts up to 35 mph may cause blowing and blowing snow, as well as blizzard conditions at times.

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The heaviest snow will likely fall in the central Plains and mid-Mississippi Valley, particularly north of Interstate 70, the WPC said. The amount of snowfall could be significant, potentially impacting travel and causing power outages.

A severe ice storm is also possible across the Mid-South, from southern Kansas and the Ozarks east to the Tennessee Valley. Sleet and freezing rain could accumulate on trees and power lines, causing widespread power outages and dangerous travel conditions.

HOW MUCH ICE IS NEEDED TO TURN OFF POWER AND DAMAGE TREES?

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When is the winter storm coming?

The FOX Forecast Center said things will get very interesting starting Sunday as the storm moves into the plains. There will be a mix of snow and ice across the central plains and lower Ohio Valley on Sunday.

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Sunday night, the rest of the Ohio Valley, the Mid-South, the central Appalachians and possibly the Mid-Atlantic will be affected.

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The storm is expected to weaken on Monday as it crosses the Appalachian Mountains, although wintry weather is still expected across the Mid-Atlantic and possibly as far south as the Carolinas, the FOX Forecast Center said.