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The winter storm that clobbered the southern Plains Tuesday into Wednesday will push from west to east across much of the South into early Thursday with snow, some ice and travel hazards.

The lower Mississippi Valley endured the brunt of the winter storm into Wednesday evening. Up to 20 inches of snow has fallen on parts of Arkansas.

Blinding, heavy snow had already hit Little Rock and Memphis, while a brief area of sleet fell farther south into northern Louisiana Wednesday afternoon.

The snow and/or ice crossing the southern Appalachians will reach the Carolina coast tonight. The cities of Birmingham, Atlanta, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Raleigh will get enough of the wintry stuff to make for slippery roads into the morning drive Thursday.

A few locations in this slot, including the southern Appalachians, could wind up with a few inches, where more snow falls rather than sleet or freezing rain.

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© AccuWeather.com
Motorists should still use caution outside the heaviest snow zone, as a thin coating of snow or ice can be very slippery at temperatures near the freezing mark.

The snow will depart most of the South on Thursday, but it will bring a coating to southeastern Virginia and the southernmost part of the Delmarva Peninsula. Elizabeth City and other locations in easternmost North Carolina could pick up a few inches as the storm grabs extra moisture from the Atlantic Ocean at the last minute.

In many situations in the South, slippery roads Thursday morning may lead to travel delays and perhaps school cancellations. Temperatures will climb above freezing Thursday afternoon over much of the South, melting much of the snow that this storm delivers.

Before the thaw begins, 49 of 50 states will have some snow on the ground in the wake of this storm Thursday morning. Florida will be the only state left off the list.

Keep in mind though, wet and slush areas will freeze again Thursday evening as temperatures drop under clear skies and light winds.

Expert Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski contributed to the content of this story.