First of two ice storms on the way

Just as many were feeling spring fever with a nice warm-up, two winter storms are in the forecast. We're tracking storms, snow and ice.

We could see icy impacts stretching from North Platte, Neb., to Washington, D.C., Wednesday through Thursday as a large storm system treks across the eastern two-thirds. The WeatherRadar shows a wintry mix starting early this morning for the central Plains and Midwest, with rain and thunderstorms bringing up the southern flank of the overall system.

Ice storms are tricky as it is all in the temperatures. We could have snow, freezing rain, or sleet, causing issues on the northern flank of the storm system, all wintry hazards that could slow or delay plans. Learn more about this below.

The WeatherRadar shows this storm kicking into gear mid-afternoon Wednesday in the Midwest as it moves east. Des Moines, Iowa, is likely to see the bulk of the freezing rain after lunch, with Chicago getting in on the icy action by the latter half of the evening commute. See the orange on the WeatherRadar?

Indianapolis, Ind., and Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio, will be on the edge of the freezing temperature line. A couple of hours of freezing rain could quickly change over to rain and even elevated thunderstorms, all while you sleep. By Thursday morning, the wintry weather will be along and near the I-95 corridor in New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington D.C.

Any accumulating ice is dangerous and can cause travel issues and power outages. One nice thing about this storm, in particular, is the quick changeover to rain and warmer temperatures above freezing, supporting a quick to semi-quick thaw.

Watch the WeatherRadar in the coming days. Another ice storm is forecast for the weekend. Many of the same areas impacted by the first storm could see more ice.