A powerful winter storm has millions of people across at least 22 states from the Midwest to the Northeast on alert for a widespread threat of freezing rain.

A travel nightmare began to unfold across portions of Kansas and Missouri early Wednesday morning as the first in a pair of high-impact ice storms has millions of people across nearly two dozen states on alert due to the widespread impacts of freezing rain and other winter weather.

An active weather pattern is shaping up in the Midwest and Northeast, where two rounds of snow and ice are expected through this weekend. This wintry pattern could then persist into next week.

Rain is next on our weather radar for Indianapolis with possible thunderstorms and freezing rain tonight. Here's what you can expect in Indianapolis.

Places to the south of the Great Lakes will see the highest risk of disruptive ice from late on Wednesday into Thursday On the northern side of the storm, the precipitation will mainly be falling as snow but the most dangerous conditions are expected through portions of western Maryland,

Winter is continuing to rear its ugly head this week, thanks to a potent storm that's forecast to spread a nasty mix of ice and snow.

Heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain are likely for some regions, as forecasters say “significant” ice accumulation could impact travel.