There is a high ceiling for how much snow the storm could generate, but it could also just produce a glancing blow or even head out to sea with little impact.

A snowstorm has blown into the mid-Atlantic states, causing dozens of accidents on icy roads, prompting school closures and stoking worries about possible power outages.

A snowstorm blew into the mid-Atlantic states on Tuesday, causing dozens of accidents on icy roads, prompting school closures and stoking worries about possible power outages. The heaviest snowfall — up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) — was expected in parts of Virginia and West Virginia.

Snow, sleet and freezing rain were expected to continue pummeling the central Appalachians and mid-Atlantic states Wednesday, while California readied for a storm that could flood areas ravaged by

Atlantic, causing heavy snow, icy roads, and potential power outages. Virginia and West Virginia are bracing for up to 25.4 cm of snow. Meanwhile, freezing temperatures are causing crises elsewhere, with tragic results for homeless populations in cities like Detroit and Portland.

Forecasters are warning of possibly significant ice accumulations in several mid-Atlantic states that could cause widespread power outages and disrupt travel

A wintry mess was bearing down on mid-Atlantic states Tuesday with forecasts of significant snow and ice accumulations prompting warnings of potential power outages. Travel will become treacherous Tuesday through early Wednesday in much of Virginia and West Virginia the National Weather Service said.

Winter weather alerts are in effect for portions of the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic, including Washington, D.C., as a powerful winter storm sweeps into the region, bringing heavy snow and ice that could lead to power outages and travel delays.