Winter storm to bring heavy snow, ice to a large swath of the country

There's increasing potential and confidence for a winter storm this upcoming weekend into early next week [January 4-6] beginning across parts of the Central Plains initially then extending into the Ohio Valley and eventually the Mid-Atlantic.

Widespread moderate [to at times heavy] impactful snow is possible for the Central Plains into the Mississippi Valley [north of I-70], extending through the Ohio Valley and possibly the Mid-Atlantic early next week. There's also an icing risk for areas farther south across parts of the Mid-South. Freezing rain and/or sleet is possible from southern Kansas, possibly extending into far northern Oklahoma, into the Ozarks and into the Tennessee Valley and possibly into the Southern Appalachians. Depending on how much freezing rain falls for these areas, there's the potential for some power outages and tree damage in areas along with disruption to travel. It's important to note the track of the low will be critical in determining who see what/which type[s] of precipitation. Keep checking back for updates with this evolving forecast.