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

A powerful winter storm brought heavy snow and icy conditions to parts of the U.S. South on Thursday, forcing officials to close schools, cancel flights and warn residents in some of the worst-hit areas to stay off roads as it lumbered eastward through Oklahoma and Texas.

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.