Much of the nation east of the Rocky Mountains is hunkered down for what could be the worst winter storm of the season, followed by some of the coldest temperatures seen in years.

A huge, dayslong winter storm is trekking across the U.S. threatening to bring snow, sleet, ice, bone-chilling temperatures and extensive power outages.

The storm already had brought bitterly cold temperatures to parts of the Plains and Midwest, and could bring what forecasters said could be "catastrophic ice."

More than 160 million people are on alert for a brutal storm. More than 160 million people are on alert for a brutal weekend storm that's going to bring dangerous ice and snow to the South, bitter cold to the Midwest, and snowfall to the Northeast.

Heavy snow, ice and brutal cold are expected to make this winter storm a potentially life-threatening weather event, stretching across two-thirds of the U.S.

A winter storm is expected to impact most of the state on Jan. 24 and Jan. 25. Here's how to check local road conditions and travel advisories.

On Saturday at 5:07 a.m. EST a winter weather advisory was issued by the National Weather Service valid from 7 p.m. EST until Monday 1 a.m. EST for Branch and Hillsdale counties.

A major, dayslong winter storm is threatening to bring snow, sleet, ice and extensive power outages to about half the U.S. population. Thousands of weekend flights already have been canceled, and forecasters warn that catastrophic damage, especially in areas pounded by ice, could rival that of a hurricane.