ARLINGTON, Va. − A wall of snow, ice and rain was sweeping across the Northeast on Thursday, the first in a series of storms forecast to wallop much of the nation's northern tier over the next several days.

A winter storm is expected to bring sleet and freezing rain to the Midwest and Northeast, potentially causing treacherous travel conditions and power outages for millions.

Heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain are likely for some regions, as forecasters say “significant” ice accumulation could impact travel.

A significant winter storm is currently sweeping in from the Midwest to the Northeast, bringing a complex mix of heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain.

A winter storm covered the Northeast and Midwest regions of the United States with snow and ice on Feb. 5-6 prompting school closures across the regions. Sightings of lightning and thunder snow have also been reported.