New Delhi, Jan. 23 -- A massive and potentially destructive winter storm is set to impact a large portion of the United States, with the most dangerous conditions expected across the southern states, where freezing rain up to one inch thick could stretch from Texas to the Carolinas and Virginia, according to AccuWeather.

Farther north, heavy snow will cause widespread disruptions, while a dangerous mix of snow and ice across parts of the Plains, Tennessee Valley and mid-Atlantic will further threaten travel and infrastructure.

"This winter storm will shut it all down," AccuWeather Senior Vice President Evan Myers said.

"It is rare for a storm to combine this much snow, ice and bitter cold over such a large area - a widespread travel-ha...