A massive winter storm poised to unleash a barrage of heavy snow, treacherous ice, rain, and severe thunderstorms across a 1,300-mile swath of the United States will impact an estimated 62 million people starting Saturday afternoon and continuing into Monday.

The National Weather Services is predicting a major winter storm stretching 1,300 miles across the central United States and impacting up to 62 million from Saturday through Monday.

A major winter storm forecast to produce heavy snow, significant ice and frigid temperatures was set to begin in the central U.S. on Saturday and move east over the next several days, according to the National Weather Service.

Millions should prepare for disrupted travel and winter conditions as a fierce storm is set to bring ice, snow and freezing rain to much of the U.S.

Snowfall amounts will probably range from 5 to 8 inches, although confidence is lower in amounts north and south of the immediate area.