New storms to hit much of the country beginning Wednesday

The lull after the latest icy storms to hit the country will be short-lived. Starting this very Wednesday, cold fronts return that will bring considerable snowfall and frost in different parts of the country. They will reach the East Coast, the South and California in different fronts and stages.

Starting this Tuesday, the first effects of the cold front will begin to be felt as it moves from the interior toward the East Coast. North of Virginia, ice will be the storm’s greatest hazard, with dangerous accumulations likely in some areas of the Appalachians. Total ice accumulation could reach 0.25 inches in parts of West Virginia, western Virginia, and northwestern North Carolina.

Washington, D.C. and surrounding areas could see significant snowfall. Accumulations of up to 6 inches of snow are expected in the capital following precipitation that is forecast to begin late Tuesday night.

Similar snowfall is expected in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York and southern New England. In the southernmost part of the storm front, which will affect between Texas and the Carolinas, the storm will bring rain. The National Weather Service has activated warnings for possible flooding in northern Louisiana and eastern Texas, plus northern and central Georgia and eastern Tennessee.

In the Midwest, winter storm warnings are in effect for an extended area stretching from eastern Colorado to inland Illinois. Kansas and northern Missouri will likely bear the brunt of this storm.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, declared a state of emergency Sunday. "As I have done in previous storms, I urge all Kansas residents to take steps to make sure their families are prepared with a home emergency kit and an emergency plan."

Virginia Governor, Glenn Youngkin, likewise declared a state of emergency, and the Virginia Department of Transportation urged residents to "stay off the roads once the storm arrives, as road conditions are expected to be treacherous."

Several schools in the state will remain closed Tuesday due to the arrival of the storm. Schools in the Washington DC area and Maryland also announced closures and early suspension of classes, citing expected disruptions.

Starting Thursday, it will be California's turn, where a cloud front is concentrated and will bring heavy rain. Southern California will be especially hard hit and flood warnings have already been issued from San Diego to the Los Angeles area, following the coastline and moving inland to a limited extent.