Mixed precipitation -- snow and ice -- are likely to begin Saturday. We will see winter weather, but it's too early to be confident about the precise location and amounts.

The cold that is coming to much of the central and eastern United States in the path of a major winter storm will be harsh and dangerous, especially where the power is out and roads are covered in thick ice or deep snow from Texas to Tennessee,

Amtrak has canceled several long-distance trains in and out of Chicago for multiple days because of a forecast of extreme cold weather. The regional Borealis is also affected. The first cancellations begin today (Wednesday,