A storm system set to emerge from the Rockies later in the week will bring blizzard conditions, as well as needed moisture, to portions of the central Plains.

There is the potential for flight and ground travel disruptions from Denver to Chicago. There is also the potential for significant moisture in the drought-stricken region.

While the storm will affect a vast area from Texas to the Dakotas, the wintry side of the storm will affect areas from the Rockies to the Upper Midwest during the second half of this week after hitting areas from California to Utah, Arizona and New Mexico with snow, wind and cold.

Locally blinding, heavy snow will fall over the passes of the Rockies.

As the storm pulls away from the Rockies, it will reorganize, causing wind-whipped snow to redevelop.

The first trouble spot on the Plains will be around Denver Wednesday night, where enough snow and plunging temperatures can occur to create travel problems.

As the storm progresses farther east, howling winds and driving snow will bring blizzard conditions to places from Goodland, Kan., to Grand Island and Omaha, Neb., Huron and Sioux Falls, S.D., and Des Moines, Iowa, by Thursday.

Farther south, the storm is likely to bring a significant severe weather outbreak from Texas to Mississippi spanning Wednesday night to Thursday night.

Be sure to stay with AccuWeather.com as our meteorologists continue to unravel all the details.

The story was first published Mon., Feb. 18, 2013, and has been updated. Expert Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski contributed content to this story.

Accu Weather.com

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