The storm will be so extensive, its snow, sleet and freezing rain could stretch more than 1,500 miles from the Plains across the South and into the Northeast. Major travel disruption is a given across its entire footprint.

Half the U.S. population will likely see some effect from the sprawling storm that will move across the country this weekend, meteorologists said.

After this weekend's snow storm moves out, cold Arctic air will move in.

Several rounds of snow are possible across the East on Saturday and Sunday.

Mixed precipitation -- snow and ice -- are likely to begin Saturday. We will see winter weather, but it's too early to be confident about the precise location and amounts.

People across a large section of the central and eastern United States are facing predictions of heavy snow and ice starting Friday.