Powerful winter storm to bring heavy snow across much of US this weekend

"A powerful winter storm is set to sweep across much of the US this weekend, bringing potentially record-breaking cold, heavy snow and ice that forecasters warn could cause hazardous conditions, potential power outages and travel disruptions. The storm is expected to bring widespread heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain from the south Rockies and plains into the mid-south beginning on Friday, before spreading east to the mid-Atlantic and New England areas this weekend, according to the US National Weather Service on Thursday."

"Heavy snow is likely across a broad region from the southern Rockies and plains through the mid-Atlantic and into the north-east, with snowfall totals exceeding 12 inches becoming more probable in localized areas, the agency forecasted. Weather officials have also said that widespread freezing rain and sleet are forecast for parts of the southern plains, lower Mississippi Valley, Tennessee Valley, the south-east, and southern Virginia."

"Significant and damaging ice accumulations are likely, as well as the potential for power outages, tree damage and dangerous travel conditions. The freezing rain and sleet is expected in areas of the southern plains and lower Mississippi Valley on Friday, and then are forecast to shift east into parts of the south-east, Tennessee Valley and mid-Atlantic this weekend. Widespread travel disruptions are expected and extremely cold air behind the storm will prolong hazardous travel and infrastructure impacts, the weather service said."

A powerful winter storm will sweep much of the United States this weekend, bringing record-breaking cold, heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain. Precipitation will begin Friday in the southern Rockies and plains and spread east to the mid-Atlantic and New England, with New England impacts possibly lingering into Monday. Snowfall totals over 12 inches are likely in localized areas through the mid-Atlantic and northeast, while widespread freezing rain and sleet are forecast across the southern plains, Mississippi and Tennessee valleys and the southeast, producing significant ice accumulations, tree damage and power outages. Bitterly cold temperatures and dangerously low wind chills will follow and prolong travel and infrastructure impacts.

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