Some 180 million Americans are bracing for impact as the threat of a severe winter storm looms across large swaths of the country from Texas to Massachusetts. As the weekend draws near, the final path of the storm remains uncertain: Models are predicting anywhere from minimal precipitation to close to a foot of snow in New York City. Here’s what we know.

As of Friday, the National Weather Service’s New York office issued a winter storm watch for its entire forecast region, signaling a high possibility of six to 12 inches of snow with the chance of more than 12 inches in some areas. A social-media post from the agency urged residents to prepare for “considerable disruption to transportation and daily life.”

🚨 Major Winter Storm Begins Today 🚨

Heavy snow and crippling ice will impact a large region, along with over 170 million Americans from the Southern Rockies/Plains today towards the Northeast by Sunday.

Be sure to stay safe and follow winter safety: https://t.co/DXnRXKLJ8L pic.twitter.com/hiqONM36iJ

According to the NWS, the storm system will bring heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain from the Rockies and the Great Plains beginning on Friday, moving toward the East Coast and potentially up through New England on Monday. The agency advised that the impacts of ice and snow will be prolonged due to plummeting........

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