The storm emerging from the Rockies this weekend will deliver a far-reaching swath of ice and snow across the middle of the country and will extend for about 1,000 miles from central Nebraska to Ohio through early Monday.
AccuWeather estimates that 12-18 inches of snow will be common from northeastern Kansas through northern Missouri to west-central Illinois. Some localities could even receive up to 30 inches over the length of the storm's passage.
Just to the south, parts of Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana are forecast to experience ice mixing with snow during the storm. A battle between warm and cold air will determine exactly how much snow, versus ice, falls in some areas like Kansas City and St. Louis in Missouri. A change of just 20-30 miles farther south with the track of the storm could result in much more snow and less ice.
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. Communities from Springfield, Missouri, to Lexington, Kentucky, could be in for a substantial amount of ice that brings dangerous travel conditions.
Power outages, extensive tree damage and lengthy travel days will be a concern in the worst-hit areas. The power could be out for several days in some communities even as dangerously cold air invades in the wake of the storm.
The ice will not melt quickly, and could lead to slower clean-up from the storm.
Accumulating snow is expected to reach as far north as central Pennsylvania and extend southward through northern Virginia. Major metro areas such as Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., can expect several inches of accumulation.
The entire eastern half of the country will experience temperatures 12 to 25 degrees colder than the historical average through Jan. 12.
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