Over the next few days, a trio of winter storms will sweep across the US, each bringing its own set of challenges.  These storms will not just affect one area, but rather they will spread across the country.

Starting close to Tuesday morning, the first storm will target the Plains and stretch to the East Coast.  This will bring more snow and ice to the southern parts of the Northeast.  The storm's icy grip will be the worst, with areas in West Virginia, western Virginia, and northwestern North Carolina, getting 0. 25 inches of ice. It's going to be a major headache for residents and travelers.  Road conditions will be extremely dangerous, especially in the Appalachians.  Trees and power lines are likely to go down,  causing outages that could last for days. Snow is expected to pile up in the nation’s capital.  This storm coming after last week's, will add even more snow to the already impressive totals.  On the warmer side, heavy rain will bring flooding to the South, with a level 2 out of 4 risk for many states from Texas to the Carolinas. This is particularly concerning for areas still recovering from Hurricane Helene.

A second storm is expected to hit the Midwest and Northeast on Wednesday.  This storm is drawing in from the central US,  and picking up snow and rain at a rapid pace.  Kansas City,  Missouri, could see near double-digit snowfall, and Chicago might finally get its heaviest snowfall,  almost double what the city typically gets in February.   Ice will also be a big problem, especially in the Ohio Valley and Northeast,  where it could make driving very difficult.  Another round of ice in the Appalachians will cause more headaches.

The third storm will make a direct hit on California,  bringing heavy rain and snow to the Sierra Nevada and mountainous areas.  The rain will start early Thursday.  As the day progresses,  more rain is expected to drench even more of the state. An inch or two of rain is possible over the Los Angeles basin.  This storm will also bring a risk of life-threatening debris flows,  especially in areas affected by recent wildfires.  Residents living near burn scars should stay alert,  as flooding rainfall is expected.

After pounding the West,  this storm will continue to strengthen and move east.  The storm will reach the Plains early Saturday morning,  and by the evening,  it will spread over the Midwest and Northeast.  Rain is expected to drench the South.  Some thunderstorms could become severe,  especially in parts of the South. This is a reminder that dangerous thunderstorms can happen at any time of the year.  The large storm is expected to bring heavy rain and thunderstorms to coastal East Coast on Sunday.

Residents should prepare for the worst,  by checking on emergency plans, and by keeping an eye on weather warnings.   Make sure to check on things like flashlights,  batteries, water and non-perishable food.

Winter Storms March Towards US

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