Weekend winter storm unfurls: Heavy snow, sleet and ice threat

A major winter storm will develop across the central Plains this weekend, bringing heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain along a path stretching from the high Plains Colorado to Mid-Atlantic.

The ingredients for 2025's first major winter storm are already starting to line-up. Arctic air, visible on the TemperatureRadar, has infiltrated the central U.S. Strong southeast flow off the Gulf of Mexico will bring Gulf moisture northward.

The next piece, a strong Pacific storm moving into the Northwest, will jump across the Rockies and be the energy to create the winter storm.

All of these ingredients will come together, late Saturday and produce a classic winter storm over the south-central Plains. It will move quickly from the south-central Plains and into the Mid-Atlantic on Sunday and early Monday. Here is a rundown of what can be expected.

Heavy snow

With arctic temperatures in place, up to a foot of snow will be possible from eastern Kansas across northern Missouri into central Illinois. From Kansas eastward into the northern Mid-Atlantic, between 3 to 6 inches of snow will be possible, with a mix of sleet in lower accumulation totals.

Freezing Rain

A big concern will be freezing rain potential. Just north of the system's warm front where warm, humid air rides over the cold arctic air at the surface, conditions will be ripe for widespread freezing rain and major ice accumulations.

The biggest risk of ice runs from eastern Kansas, including Kansas City eastward into the Ozarks, the lower Ohio Valley and into the central Appalachians. St. Louis will be on the edge of the ice risk while Springfield, Mo., Cincinnati, Louisville and Lexington, Ky., and Bristol, Tenn., could all see major icy impacts with more than a quarter inch of ice possible.

Severe storm potential

The cold arctic air wrapping around the system will feed the system's cold front, creating highly unstable air. Strong thunderstorms capable of damaging winds and hail will be possible from the Gulf Coast into the Deep South late Sunday into early Monday. Many of these storms will occur at or after sunset, so having multiple ways to receive alerts will be imperative.

Track this dynamic storm development using WeatherRadar and be sure to check back often for the latest on this storm's development on Sunday.