More than 90 millions Americans are set to be hit by a massive thunderstorm with hailstones the size of baseballs. Forecasters have warned the storms could cause serious damage when they hit the US in the coming days.
Heavy snow is expected to sweep across Southwest states through the early hours of Friday, with up to eight inches of snow expected in some areas.
The storm is then expected to move northwards towards the Rockies and move to the Pacific Northwest and upper Midwest.
The National Weather Service (NWS) warned the “potent winter storm” will cause severe disruption throughout Friday into Saturday in the Upper Midwest through New England.
They also warned southern states will likely experience “significant sleet and freezing rain” as thunderstorms south of the snowy front could cause tornadoes and damaging winds.
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They said: “During Friday, heavy snows will also develop on the northwest and northern fringes of the storm across northern Illinois, northern Indiana and the southern portions of the Lower Plains of Michigan where snow totals of 6 inches or greater are possible.
“This heavy snow potential will then spread into portions of the Northeast and New England Friday night into Saturday with snow totals of 6-12 inches + possible across Upstate and Northern New York, all of Vermont, New Hampshire, northern Massachusetts and southern Maine.
“In areas of heavy snow, travel will be very difficult from the combination of snow rates greater than an inch an hour and strong winds.”
Some tornadoes have already been spotted in Texas and Louisiana.
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The Golden State was heavily affected by the winter storm, with most of the territory hit by heaving snow. Temperatures also hit sub-freezing lows down to 26F.
California Governor Gavin Newsom deployed the National Guard to deliver food and water, and open shelters for families hit by heavy snow and outages.
Counties covered in the Governor’s state of emergency declaration included Amador, Kern, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, Nevada, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Sierra, Sonoma and Tulare.
As the storm moves eastwards, parts of Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee have been warned to prepare for potential flooding.
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