A massive and dangerous winter storm is set to pummel huge swaths of the country later this week through the weekend.
Threat level: Snow, freezing rain and/or sleet are possible from parts of New Mexico and Texas all the way east to Georgia and north to New England.
- Brace for travel to be crippled, with dangerous driving conditions and flight delays and cancelations.
- A blast of arctic air means any snow and ice that falls during the storm could stick around for days in some areas after the storm passes without much melting.
What they're saying: "This is shaping up to be a potentially high impact event with moderate to major impacts," per NWS forecasters in Atlanta — adding that it could be a "long duration event as well."
- Forecasters are still working through their predictions, and their numbers could change up until the precipitation starts falling.
By the numbers: Nearly 40 million Americans are under a winter storm watch as of Wednesday afternoon — a number that will likely climb into the weekend.
- Some areas that don't usually see huge snowfalls could get walloped.
- Some of the latest model runs are calling for over a foot of snow in parts of Texas, Tennessee, Georgia and elsewhere.
What we're watching: Which areas will get snow, versus freezing rain or sleet.
- Ice will be a major threat throughout the South, likely causing power outages and downed trees.
The bottom line: If you're in the path of this potentially record-smashing winter storm, start prepping now.
