Meteorologist Samantha Davies

The active weather continues… today’s big story is a developing winter storm. This storm will bring everything from heavy snow, freezing rain, and severe weather. The worst weather will happen Thursday afternoon through Friday.

Severe thunderstorms will be possible in East Texas and along the Gulf coast into the Florida panhandle. The biggest concern with these storms is the potential for large hail. Damaging wind gusts and isolated tornadoes are also a possibility. Why? There is an abundance of moisture streaming northward from the Gulf of Mexico. As a cold front smashes into the moist air, strong storms will fire up. Cities at risk include: Galveston, Lake Charles, Montgomery, and Pensacola.

Sleet and freezing rain will be possible in the Ohio Valley and in the Mid Atlantic states. Ice storm warnings are in effect for parts of Virginia and West Virginia. Ice accumulations will range from ¼- ½”. Sleet and freezing rain will be possible in the Ohio Valley. On Friday the wintry mix should change over to rain. Cities at risk: Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, and Roanoke.

Now for the snow… I mentioned earlier there is a ton of moisture streaming northward, as this moisture interacts with all of the cold air in place, heavy snow is possible in the Midwest and Great Lakes region. The heaviest snow will fall in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Northern Ohio. Snowfall totals here will range from 6-12”. In Western Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas 2-4 inches of snow will fall. Cities that will see the most snow: St. Louis, Detroit, Toledo, and Ft. Wayne.

The forecast models are fairly consistent with the track of this storm; however, a few computer models have the center of the storm tracking a little bit farther South than the official forecast. Any change in the track of the storm can alter the forecast (who gets the most snow and when). Check out the video below for a closer look at the track of the storm.

Click the image to view the video