A powerful weekend storm to bring snow and severe weather to Eastern U.S.

A busy weekend is in the forecast for the Eastern half of the U.S. as a powerful weekend storm brings a smorgasbord of weather hazards to the region including snow and severe storms.

Weather & Radar's expert meteorologists have been keeping an eye on a potent storm system expected to impact the eastern half of the U.S. this weekend. The WeatherRadar paints an active picture of a developing system that brings heavy rain, snow, and severe storms to the east over the weekend.

While this storm is still a few days out, confidence is growing in the forecast. Hazardous travel, power outages, and severe weather damage are all concerns as we head into the end of the week and the weekend. The WeatherRadar shows a trough of low pressure ejecting out of the western U.S. late this week. A surface low will develop over the central Plains by Friday, and it's this low that will wreak havoc.

Strong storms will begin to develop Friday night on the warm side of this system. The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted parts of northeastern Texas, eastern Oklahoma, southwestern Missouri, and western Arkansas with a marginal risk, a level one out of five of severe storms, on Friday. Cities such as Tulsa, Okla., and Springfield, Mo., are at risk for nighttime severe weather. Hail is the main concern with these storms.

The severe threat grows Saturday, with a slight risk, a level two out of five of severe storms, extending from eastern Texas to western Tennessee. With a deepening surface low and plenty of moisture being dragged in from the Gulf, strong storms will be possible Saturday in Houston, Shreveport, La., Little Rock, Ark., Jackson, Miss., and Memphis, Tenn. Tornadoes will be possible, so now is a good time to review your severe weather plans.

On this system's cold side, moderate to heavy snow may impact parts of the Midwest and Great Lakes. Blizzard conditions are possible, with winds gusting over 40 mph. It's a bit early to talk about specific snowfall amounts, but there is the potential for 6-12 inches of snow with this system in the areas with the heaviest snowfall.

Powerful winds will also impact the Northeast as this potent low continues east this weekend. Sunday could easily bring gusts up to 60 mph to cities like New York and Boston. Keep an eye on the WindRadar and prepare for travel delays this weekend into early next week.