A winter storm that has wreaked havoc from New Mexico to Arkansas was expected to loosen its icy grip somewhat Wednesday, but the reprieve might be short-lived. The National Weather Service predicted an end to precipitation in northwest Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma by Wednesday afternoon. But forecasters said more snow could hit the region this weekend.
Roads are still icy, however, as temperatures hovered below freezing.
The storm left about 500,000 homes and businesses without power and scores of holiday travelers stranded. That storm is headed toward the Southeast, where it is expected to diminish. Another storm was expected to bring snow to the Dakotas, Iowa and Minnesota by Thursday. The two storms were expected to merge over the Northeast, possibly bringing a major snowstorm to the region by the weekend. Storms on the move The nasty weather was on the move Wednesday, and forecasters had an eye on three areas of the country.