Impacts from the snow and ice could cause power outages, widespread travel shutdowns and school closures. Following the storm, frigid temperatures will prolong the impacts of the snow and ice. “Potentially hundreds of thousands of people may go without electricity and heat for days,” AccuWeather chief meteorologist Jonathan Porter said.

A major winter storm is set to sweep the nation this weekend, bringing snow, sleet, ice and sub-zero windchills from the southern Plains to the Northeast from Friday to Monday.

Right now, there is a strong signal for icing issues in Central Alabama. However, the forecast can and will change. It is still too early to talk about specific amounts or exact locations, but we will have much better clarity in the next 48 hours.