Winter storms and extreme cold are forecast to wallop the U.S. with snow and ice through the weekend. Prepare for power outages and transportation issues.

Much of Texas has faced challenging winter weather this month, including snowstorms, and meteorologists have warned that the forecast thunderstorms could produce damaging winds and hail. The severe weather may create unsafe travel conditions for people in the affected areas.

The forecasted freezing precipitation will inevitably have an impact on North Texas' weekend travel plans, says the NWS update, noting that worst travel conditions will most likely occur with the heaviest snow this evening into Sunday morning.

The City of Austin and surrounding communities are preparing for an Arctic blast that is set to bring with is some hazardous conditions.