A series of back-to-back winter storms will hit parts of the midwest, north-east and mid-Atlantic as weather alerts were put in place on Thursday for about 100 million people across 22 US states.

Slippery and dangerous travel conditions are expected through the middle of next week. States from Nebraska to Massachusetts are seeing snow, sleet and freezing rain. Forecasters warn that the cold and hazardous weather may cause power outages and difficult travel conditions during Thursday’s commute and beyond.

A storm that has already brought ice across much of the Great Lakes is expected to hit major cities such as Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York and Boston on Thursday as it pushes further into the north-east. Pre-emptive school closures are in effect in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Between 2 and 5in of snow could fall across much of New England on Thursday.

Road and air travel is at risk of being severely disrupted from the midwest to the mid-Atlantic and New England coastlines as the storm travels eastward. Power outages are a major concern due to the buildup of freezing rain on trees and power lines, and windy conditions expected to follow the storm.

On the warmer, southern side of this storm, rain and thunderstorms will spread across locations from the Tennessee valley to the North Carolina coastline. Previous thunderstorms that developed on Wednesday produced ping-pong to golf ball-sized hail, according to AccuWeather.

The National Weather Service has warned about risky travel conditions, emphasizing the dangers of even a small amount of freezing rain and ice.

“It’s true, freezing rain IS the worst. Even just a glaze can make stepping outside, and especially driving, very dangerous,” the service said on X.

The icy weather could also affect travel schedules for football fans planning to attend the Super Bowl in New Orleans on Sunday.

“Snow could disrupt travel plans for fans and players returning home to Philadelphia and Kansas City after the big game,” the AccuWeather senior meteorologist Bill Deger said in a press release. “Wintry weather could also impact plans for a victory parade or outdoor celebrations for the winning team.”