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

Right now, we are still 48 hours away from the winter event, but as we get closer, it is likely to be upgraded to a Winter Weather Advisory or a Winter Storm Warning.

When it comes to winter storms, ice can be particularly hazardous. Not only is freezing rain challenging to forecast, but ice storms can wreak havoc on electrical infrastructure and vegetation, knocking power out for weeks and leaving roadways impassible. Travel becomes dangerous if not impossible, with roads becoming ice rinks.