Nebraska, Michigan and even New England: winter weather forecasts

A winter storm that has affected parts of the eastern Rocky Mountains, the Plains and the upper Midwest was expected to spread winter weather across the country and even reach New England in the coming days.

The winter storm that hit central plans “will hit the Great Lakes by Thursday with a mix of heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain,” the National Weather Service’s College Park, Maryland Weather Forecasting Center said Wednesday afternoon.

Snowfall rates in excess of 2 inches per hour are possible in major snow bands from Nebraska to Michigan, according to the weather service.

Here’s what you need to know about Thursday’s winter weather.

Video:Winter storm moves from the Rocky Mountains to the Midwest in the middle of the week

What defines a blizzard?:Heavy snowfall and strong winds are expected to sweep across the country.

Winter weather in Wisconsin

Heavy snow was forecast to fall through Thursday, with a possible 4 to 8 inches of snow across windrows of Wisconsin, reports the Appleton Post-Crescent, part of the USA TODAY Network.

The heaviest snow amounts are expected to be 5 to 8 inches for central and east-central Wisconsin and 5 to 8 inches in Green Bay and Fox Cities. Northern Door County could see up to 10 inches of snow.

Will Winter Weather Hit the East Coast?

According to the weather service, snow and some ice are expected to spread to the northeast on Thursday and through Friday.

Estimated snow rates of more than an inch per hour will “make for dangerous travel across New England early Friday morning, with lighter snow continuing through most of Friday,” the weather service said. And freezing rain can lead to ice, especially in the areas around the Catskills and Berkshires.

US National Weather Radar