A major winter-like storm crossing the lower Great Lakes Saturday was expected to gain strength and become a powerful nor'easter in the Atlantic Ocean, according to UPI. Weather-related warnings and watches stretched this weekend from the U.S. central Plains to the Northeast with forecasts of snow and sleet to the north and heavy rain and thunderstorms to the south, Accuweather reported Saturday. In the Gulf states, the thunderstorms could bring damaging winds and tornadoes, Accuweather said. Soaking rain was to move over the Southeast Saturday night bringing some relief to drought-stricken states. A strengthening storm moving from the central Great Lakes was forecast to bury the interior Northeast in up to a foot of fresh snow Sunday, making travel hazardous.
