Parts of Wyoming and Nebraska are under blizzard warnings, while winter storm warnings and warnings are in place for other parts of the region, said CNN meteorologist Tyler Mauldin.
The system will bring heavy rains of around 4 inches across the Midwest over a 72-hour period before moving slowly to the east coast next week, bringing rainy days with it.
Blizzard conditions
Snow in the central United States is expected to increase on Saturday, but it is unlikely to peak until Sunday, Mauldin said.
Denver can see up to 2 feet of snow, with Front Range Mountains and Foothills possibly seeing up to 4 feet. The highest elevations in southeastern Wyoming could see more than 4 feet of snow.
This area is no stranger to the March blizzards. In fact, March is the snowiest month of the year in parts of Colorado and Wyoming. In Denver, each of the major snowstorms on March 10 totals more than a foot of snow. This year could be added to that list.
On Sunday, severe storms will push eastward into Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana and Tennessee.
Rain threatens flood
Flood alerts are also a major concern for this system in the midwest.
With some rivers approaching the flood stage, the expected heavy rain can take the rivers to dangerous levels.
Floods are also a threat on Sunday, especially in parts of Missouri, Kansas and Illinois.
Other states – such as Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kentucky and Indiana – may also experience flooding, especially if multiple storms pass through the same locations, according to forecasts.
The total widespread rainfall until Sunday is expected to be in the range of 2 to 4 inches, but some isolated spots may exceed 6 inches.