NEW YORK — A powerful two-track winter storm that will stretch nearly 2,000 miles wide will bring stark contrasts across the country this week. While parts of the northeast have to prepare for icy conditions, the south is threatened with torrential rain and flash floods.

Travelers should expect significant disruption, while residents should prepare for possible flooding, severe thunderstorms, strong winds and heavy snow.

Danger of flash floods lasting several days in the south

Several heavy rains will drench the Deep South, particularly Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Georgia, the FOX Forecast Center said. Rainfall totals will be between 2 and 3 inches, with locally higher amounts of more than 5 inches possible.

It’s raining heavily for days deep into the south as the risk of flooding increases for New Orleans, Mobile

The worst rain is expected in places like Louisiana and southern Alabama. Late Tuesday will be the peak time for flash flooding as the threat covers cities from Atlanta to Mobile, Alabama and eventually the entire East Coast.

Additionally, a slight threat of severe weather is possible on Tuesday and Wednesday. Damaging wind gusts and a tornado or two are possible as the cold front moves through quickly.

Days of rain, snow drenching the Northeast

The Northeast will experience a different winter weather.

The FOX Forecast Center said the Northeast and Interstate 95 corridor will likely be drenched in periodic rains into the early hours of Thursday. Areas along I-95 could see 3 to 5 inches of rain.

On Monday, cities like Pittsburgh, Columbus, Ohio, and Charleston, West Virginia, began their day under umbrellas.

On Monday afternoon, the heaviest rain is expected to hit major urban centers along Interstate 95, just in time for the evening rush hour. While flash flooding is not expected, travel may become difficult during rainfall.

MILLIONS IN THE NORTH EASTERN are at risk of flooding from rapid snowmelt as warmer temperatures lead to drenching rains

The second round of rain will arrive Wednesday with a much larger system as a strong cold front drenches the eastern third of the Lower 48.

Flooding is looming Wednesday, with an increased risk of flash flooding along the I-95 corridor, the FOX Forecast Center said. This rain will arrive well ahead of the advancing cold front, driven by tropical-like moisture flowing from the Southeast.

The greatest impacts are expected from New York City to Boston. Some locations could receive over 3 inches of rain from both storm systems combined.

While this rain won’t completely eliminate drought concerns, it will provide a significant boost as we approach the new year, the FOX Forecast Center said.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

As colder air moves back into the region behind the cold front and fuels Wednesday’s precipitation, rain could mix with or transition to snow over portions of the interior Northeast and New England by Wednesday night.

However, due to wet ground and warmer temperatures before winter weather sets in, it is still too early to predict where snow will fall and how much snow might accumulate.

The next lake effect snow event will be in the Great Lakes

The Great Lakes region, already battered by recent snowstorms, is facing another round of lake-effect snow expected to begin Wednesday and continue through Friday.

A heavy band of snow is expected to develop off Lakes Erie and Ontario, but its exact location is still uncertain, the FOX Forecast Center said.

DOWNLOAD THE FREE FOX WEATHER APP

If winds shift more to the southwest, the heaviest snowfall could hit western New York. Otherwise, lakeshore areas from Lake County in northeast Ohio northeast to parts of northern Ashtabula County in Ohio and Erie County in Pennsylvania could see the greatest impacts.

The snowfall pattern may temporarily shift with a secondary front Wednesday evening, but lakeshore communities can expect heavy snowfall during this event.

Download the FOX Weather app to receive our live stream, our 3D radar and our weather alerts everywhere.