A wintry mess is heading to the mid-Atlantic region with forecasts of heavy snow and ice accumulations prompting warnings of potential power outages.

Commuters from the Ohio Valley into the central Appalachians and mid-Atlantic will face a snowy, icy mess from the first of multiple winter storms that will hit the country into the weekend.

Widespread preparations are underway as a parade of winter storms is forecast for the Lower 48 this week. The first of the trio is currently developing in the Rockies and will head toward the mid-Atlantic and Northeast by Tuesday.

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

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.

Winter weather alerts are in effect for portions of the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic, including Washington, D.C., as a powerful winter storm sweeps into the region, bringing heavy snow and ice that could lead to power outages and travel delays.

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.