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The first major U.S. winter storm of the year brought a freezing mix of snow, sleet and sleet from the Northern Plains to the Great Lakes yesterday, while sparking the threat of tornadoes and flooding in many parts of the southern part of the country, Reuters reported.

The National Weather Service (NWS) is predicting heavy snowfall of 2.5 to 7.5 centimeters per hour in parts of Nebraska, South Dakota and Minnesota, where more than a foot of snow is expected.

Thunderstorms are also forecast.

Snowdrifts and drifts caused by strong and gusty winds are expected to make road travel almost impossible in some areas, while fog and freezing rain created treacherous driving conditions elsewhere, the NMS warned.

Winter storm and ice warnings were issued in and around Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, after freezing rain followed by heavy snowfall hit the northern part of the state.

As of last night, about a foot of snow had accumulated in the western suburbs of the Twin Cities, and the cover on the runway at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport had reached 10 centimeters, said Richard Bannon, a meteorologist at the NMS Maryland Weather Forecast Center.

Over 200 flights were canceled yesterday.

The winter wave is expected to reach New England today.

It was part of a larger weather front that brought heavy rain, powerful thunderstorms, hail and tornadoes to the lower Mississippi River, Gulf Coast, Tennessee River Valley and southern Appalachians.

The blizzard of the century freezes the US

Tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued for many locations in the southern states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia, as well as for flooding in the southern part of this area.

As of last night, the NMS had counted eight tornadoes, as well as dozens of strong winds that damaged trees, power lines and homes.

Today's forecast calls for another heavy snowfall in the Sierra Nevada mountains, along with rain along the Pacific coast and snow in the northwest.

Up to 21,000 homes and businesses were without power in Northern California yesterday.

canceled flights

snow storm