The “severe storm” that is flexing its muscles to penetrate America threatens with strong winds, heavy rain, and the danger of “blizzards.”
Southern and northwestern states are most at risk of the freak attack that could drop up to a foot of snow in parts.
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“We have a storm late in the week that will set the picture back strong again,” Weather Channel meteorologist Dominica Davis said.
“The area to the south is where we can see those severe storms developing.
“It's not just that element, we have the winter weather aspect of this storm as well.
“As we go into the weekend, snow is falling across the Rocky Mountains, moving eastward, and a line of rain and snow is beginning to form across the central Plains and into parts of the Midwest, and that could develop some challenging travel throughout the weekend.”
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Volatile weather conditions could bring tornadoes to parts of the country, according to the Weather Channel.
If temperatures drop in the same areas, rising plumes of snow could add to the misery.
This can lead to ice formation, or a “snow devil” – a rare phenomenon that occurs when snow collides with a tornado.
In the northwest, “waves” of heavy rain from an atmospheric river threaten to cause flash floods.
“For the North West, the atmospheric river is not going away anytime soon, and the threat of flooding and heavy rain will continue through the rest of the week and into the weekend,” Ms Davis said.
“We're going to continue to see these waves, not only are we looking at heavy rain on the coast, but we're going to see snow accumulating at higher elevations inland.
“At the weekend, with the blows continuing, we should have a break on Sunday, but until then, we expect heavy rain.
“In terms of snowfall, we could be looking at a foot or more in some parts.”
The US National Weather Service (NOAA) advised people in the Pacific Northwest to avoid traveling during heavy rains.
Warm air interacting with the atmospheric river will bring “very high” snow levels to parts midweek, she said.
A spokesman said: “A powerful atmospheric river affecting the Pacific Northwest is expected to continue to pummel the region with heavy rain until Wednesday.
“Warm air associated with the moisture stream extending from the subtropical Pacific will continue to allow very high levels of snow into early Wednesday, which will exacerbate flooding potential due to snowmelt and increased runoff.
“Flood watches, warnings and alerts have been issued for this part of the country. Residents are advised to never drive through flooded roads and to have a plan if they are within an area that typically floods.
“The weather is wet and windy, and overall, a bit of a mess,” said Jim Dale, a social commentator and weather reporter in the US.
