Forecasters are warning of possibly significant ice accumulations in several mid-Atlantic states that could cause widespread power outages and disrupt travel

A powerful winter storm is bringing heavy rain, snow, and dangerous ice accumulations across the U.S., disrupting travel, closing schools, and increasing power outage risks. Authorities urge caution as conditions worsen into next week.

Nearly half of the United States from the Midwest to Northeast will see snow or a freezing rain mix before the weekend arrives, weather forecasters say.

A winter storm that brought snow, sleet and freezing rain to a large swath of the Midwest swept into the mid-Atlantic and Northeast on Thursday, causing treacherous travel conditions, prompting school delays and closures and potential power outages for millions of Americans.