Second, Late-Week Snowstorm Threatens Much of South

As the storm destined to be the next blizzard for 2010 brought snow, ice, rain and thunderstorms to the southern Plains and the lower Mississippi Valley Monday, a second storm is poised to bring the Deep South substantial and disruptive snow later in the weekend.

The combination of the soon-to-be blizzard, the upcoming southern snowstorm and more storms on the West Coast will make this the worst week of winter thus far for the nation, affecting well over one half of the population.

A snowstorm with increasing winds will continue to impact ground travel and flight departures at airports over the southern Plains through tonight.Activities and schools will also be delayed or canceled much of the week due to the current winter weather and more soon to come.

Snow got to Denver, Oklahoma City, Little Rock and Memphis early this week with the first storm.

Cold air sweeping in on gusty winds will help to create power interruptions, icy roads and a little more snow on the tail end sweeping eastward through the southern Plains and the Mississippi and Tennessee valleys into Wednesday.

A second storm aiming for California today into Wednesday with flooding rain and pass-clobbering snow will be a colder storm for the southern Plains, northern Texas and much of the Deep South.

The storm on deck will hit spreading snow and ice from the Four Corners Wednesday night to Oklahoma, and Arkansas to northern Texas and northern Louisiana Thursday, then on to Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and perhaps neighboring states Friday.

The potential for major travel disruptions from snow will spread eastward from Dallas to Atlanta during the second half of the week.

A new round of heavy rain, flooding and related travel problems will trek along the Gulf Coast as well.

Story by AccuWeather.com Alex Sosnowski