A massive winter storm will hit the central and eastern United States this weekend and continue into early next week. It will spread snow, ice and freezing rain over a 1,500-mile stretch from the Plains to the Atlantic coast.

Meteorologists warn that the storm will bring dangerously cold temperatures as it passes through major cities such as St. Louis, Kansas City, Indianapolis and Philadelphia before leaving behind a blast of arctic air that could cause the mercury to rise in the South Record lows sink states.

Why it matters

This upcoming storm is expected to be the first widespread winter storm of the season, with potential impacts extending over more than 1,000 miles, making it one of the most significant weather events of the year, according to AccuWeather.

As freezing rain, snow and ice hit vulnerable areas such as the Gulf Coast and the Northeast, the storm could trigger power outages, dangerous travel and conditions rare in some of these regions.

The cold front that follows the storm could also break records, sending temperatures down to some of the lowest levels in years.

What you should know

The snowstorm is expected to stretch over 1,500 miles, from Nebraska to the Ohio Valley and parts of West Virginia. According to AccuWeather, significant snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches are forecast for much of this area, with heavier amounts of 6 to 12 inches and locally higher amounts likely in the regions between northern Kansas and southern Ohio.

The storm could bring up to 30 inches of snow to areas of northern Missouri and west-central Illinois. Cities like Topeka, Kansas; St. Louis, Missouri; and Indianapolis, Indiana are expected to experience heavy snowfall.

In addition to the snow, a dangerous ice storm is expected to hit areas south of the snow zone, from the Kansas valleys to Ohio and Tennessee.

Areas such as Kansas City, Missouri; Tulsa, Okla.; and Springfield, Missouri, there may be significant ice accumulation resulting in hazardous driving conditions, according to AccuWeather meteorologists. The region between southeast Kansas and central Kentucky is most at risk from this heavy ice.

The storm is expected to impact travel over the weekend of January 4th and 5th and early next week, just before the final days of the holiday break.

As temperatures drop, dangerous travel conditions remain, particularly on major highways such as Interstate 70. Airport delays and cancellations are likely, and travel warnings have already been issued in areas hardest hit by the storm. According to Weather.gov, road closures due to snow and ice are also a real possibility, especially in the Plains and parts of the Midwest.

Once the storm passes, it is expected to leave behind a blast of arctic air, with temperatures potentially falling to some of the lowest levels in years across the southern states.

These cold conditions could impact both infrastructure and daily life, with some areas experiencing the coldest temperatures in over a decade.

This new storm comes on the heels of a series of winter weather systems that have already impacted parts of the country, including heavy snow and ice in the Rocky Mountains and Plains in late December. Those earlier storms served as precursors to the widespread cold and snow expected next week, which will be the first major cross-country ski winter event of 2025.

In addition to snow and ice, the storm’s track could trigger thunderstorms across parts of the South, particularly in the I-10 and I-20 corridors, AccuWeather reports. Some of these storms could become severe, exacerbating already complex weather conditions.

What people say

Senior ranged combat expert Paul Pastelok said via AccuWeather: “This could be the coldest January for the U.S. overall since 2011.”

Long-range meteorologist Alex Duffus said via AccuWeather: “The combination of persistently neutral sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific, warm waters in the North Pacific, and an atmospheric logjam will induce multiple rounds of Arctic air east of the Rocky Mountains.”

“The pattern creates a sustained failure of the jet stream southward across eastern North America to allow cold air from the Arctic to escape into the central and eastern United States.”

What happens next

As the storm takes shape, residents of the southern United States should stay informed of possible weather warnings and be prepared for sudden drops in temperature. Authorities are advising people to limit travel where possible and ensure they have emergency supplies in case of a power outage.

The storm could also be a precursor to a series of other winter storms that may continue to impact the U.S. into the second half of January.