Big storm shaping up this weekend. We’re tracking it closely here in the Fox Weather Center starting with flooding rains in the desert southwest. Phoenix could see up to 2 inches of rain! I have to find out the last time that area saw 2 inches!!! So far I see totals of 1.40 inches back in March of 2006 and 1.41 inches in Februarty of 2003!!

Meantime, Winter Storm and Blizzard warnings are posted for the mountains of Colorado where over 3 feet of snow could pile up. The storm system will move into the Plains and Midwest on Saturday where a significant ice storm could unfold. Accumulations of over a 1/4 of an inch of ice could coat the roads and powerlines between the border of Kansas and Misouri. Finally, the northeast will get in on the action Sunday with snow, sleet freezing rain and or rain. Bottom line is this: much of the country will be affected by this storm – and we will be all over it this weekend!

Here’s a detailed outlook my producer Brandon put together this morning for us:  (P.S. – I asked Brandon if I could take a picture of him for you guys to see how cute he is, but he told me he forgot to wear his fancy picture clothes today, so we’ll do it next week!)

SOUTHWEST/ROCKIES RAIN & SNOW

Heavy rain and snow will fall through Saturday from the Desert Southwest to the southern Rockies as a powerful low accompanied by ample moisture moves through the region. Flash Flood Watches are posted for central Arizona, including the Phoenix metro area, where up to 2 inches of rain is possible. Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for the Rockies in Colorado and New Mexico, while Blizzard Warnings have also been issued for the San Juan Mountains of Colorado where up to 3 feet of snow and very strong winds are expected.

CENTRAL PLAINS/MIDWEST ICY & WINTRY CONDITIONS

As the low ejects into the central Plains Saturday, icy weather will develop ahead of the system. With cold air in place at the surface and warmer, moist air aloft, freezing rain will fall across much of Kansas and into Missouri beginning early Saturday morning. Freezing Rain advisories are in effect for Garden City, Dodge City, Topeka and Kansas City, where up to a tenth of an inch accumulation is expected before temperatures warm and rain will fall, which will melt any accumulated ice by the afternoon.Ice Storm Warnings, accumulations in excess of ¼” are expected, are in effect from Manhattan(KS) to St. Joseph. Strong southwesterly winds will increase the threat for downed power lines in this area before temperatures rise above freezing into the afternoon hours.Additional locations in the Midwest, including Omaha, Minneapolis, Chicago, Green Bay, and Detroit are currently under Winter Storm Watches. A wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain will begin across the area on Saturday. Upgrades to Winter Storm Warnings or Freezing Rain Advisories can be expected for some of these locations by tonight and tomorrow.

NORTHEAST – SUNDAY

The Rockies and Plains system will combine with and fuel the development of a system across the Northeast coast by early Sunday. Snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain will develop from the D.C. area and northward. While the exact path is not certain at this time, it appears the heaviest snow accumulations will occur across interior Northern New England, while major cities along the coast should see a wintry mix Sunday morning that will change to rain by the afternoon and evening.