Now Mother Nature is raising the bar with the potential for a paralyzing ice storm and rounds of heavy snow.
Winter storm clocks are in place for nearly 10 million people in more than half a dozen states, from Arkansas to West Virginia.
“The front that is bringing all that cold Arctic air is also hitting the eastern United States with some winter periods before everything is said and done,” said CNN meteorologist Michael Guy.
A series of storms is expected to hit the midwest and northeast during this weekend and could leave another 15 to 30 centimeters of snow behind in parts of the Mid-Atlantic.
With a combination of sub-zero temperatures in northern cities like Chicago and a temperature of 80 degrees along the Gulf Coast, the elements are ready for a frontal border to develop across the eastern US later this week.
The models are suggesting the potential for another round of snow in cities like Chicago, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and New York, while significant accumulations of ice are possible in parts of the middle of Mississippi and the Ohio valleys.
Ice storm in formation
As much as half to three quarters of an inch of ice can accumulate on Wednesday and Thursday in cities like Springfield, Missouri; Evansville, Indiana; and Louisville, Kentucky, leading to travel difficulties across the region, broken tree branches and widespread power outages.
“This winter storm will be the one that will potentially pose the most danger to people,” said Guy. “The storm will develop by pulling moisture out of the Gulf and low development in the lower Mississippi valley, with rain and storms along the Gulf Coast and freezing precipitation falling in parts of eastern Texas and Oklahoma.”
The ice storm is expected to start on Tuesday, with a brief break before the second round passes through Wednesday and Thursday.
There is still some uncertainty with the prediction as to who exactly will have the greatest ice accumulation, but the entire region, from Arkansas to West Virginia, faces the ice threat.
The states along the Gulf Coast will be on the warmer side of the storm system.
They will be very hot for ice and snow, but they will possibly be affected by rains and storms that develop midweek and persist over the weekend.