Storms bringing 40mph winds and heavy rain to hit US TODAY before battering East Coast with snow this weekend

A STORM bringing heavy rainfall and 40mph winds will batter through southern states today before hammering the east coast with snow this weekend.

As Americans welcomed the much-anticipated spring season last weekend, a late winter storm will bring cold and wet weather to several states.

The Weather Network

An icy winter storm will slam through the east coast this weekend[/caption]

Reuters

Central Florida will be hit with heavy rainfall and strong winds on Thursday[/caption]

The Weather Network

Parts of Canada can expect up to six inches of snow[/caption]

Heavy rain and strong winds will be felt across Central Florida Thursday morning, stretching into the afternoon.

The storm will travel from the Gulf of Mexico and move toward the northeast regions during the morning commute.

Meteorologists suggest downpours may be possible while bringing winds with at least 40mph speeds.

For Floridians, cooler and drier weather returns Friday into the weekend; however, the same can’t be said for the east.

A far-reaching winter storm will dump heavy snow and freezing rain across most Maritimes and Newfoundland on Friday and Saturday.

Heavy snow is forecast for parts of the northern and eastern Maritimes from Thursday night through Friday afternoon, with as much as six inches of snow possible.

The areas at risk include New Brunswick, the Gaspesie and Cape Breton.

Freezing rain and ice pellets will create dangerous travel conditions for parts of southern New Brunswick, P.E.I., and eastern Nova Scotia, including Colchester and Cumberland County.

The Avalon, including St John’s, will likely start out icy early Saturday morning with ice pellets and freezing rain before transitioning to rain.

Power outages from ice accretion are possible.