Severe weather is expected to bring subzero temperatures the northern Plains as soon as Thursday, then reach the Mississippi Valley, the Northeast and the Ohio Valley by Sunday.

A winter storm will deliver a dangerous mix of sleet, freezing rain and heavy snow as it barrels across the country from the southern Rocky Mountains to New England from Friday into early next week.

The weather service warned of "treacherous travel conditions, prolonged power outages, and tree damage," across the southern Plains, Lower Mississippi Valley, Mid-South and the Carolinas.