Snow, freezing rain and rain are underway in the southern Plains as a potent winter storm strengthens Thursday.

Another blast of winter storms on Thursday closed schools, snarled flights and put millions of residents on alert across parts of the U.S. South as snow and freezing rain caused dangerous travel conditions.

A winter storm is moving across the southeastern portion of the U.S., bringing snow, sleet and other cold-weather conditions to a part of the nation not accustomed to coping with blustery temperatures.

Brutal cold will open the door for a winter storm to take a somewhat unusual track through the South and create treacherous conditions.