India, March 15 -- A powerful storm system is set to impact much of the United States this weekend, bringing a dangerous combination of blizzard conditions to the northern Plains and severe weather across the country. From the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes and Atlantic coast, residents are bracing for a major outbreak of severe weather, including the potential for multiple strong tornadoes. AccuWeather has issued an "extreme risk" for Saturday, the highest level on its severe weather scale.

The severe thunderstorm threat will affect more than 500,000 square miles and impact over 20 states as the storm moves eastward from Saturday to Sunday. With the potential for power outages, major travel disruptions, and flash flooding, both property ...