and high-elevation snow from California to Colorado on Saturday, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson.

"However, the storm may strengthen and reduce its forward speed as it travels northeastward from the central Plains toward the Upper Midwest from Christmas Day to Monday," Anderson said.

This overall path appears to be the most likely at this time. Direct impacts are possible on the major cities of Denver, Minneapolis, Chicago and Kansas City, Missouri.

If the storm develops to its full potential, then the impacts could range from major travel disruptions to power outages and property damage.

The intense version of this storm could cause high winds, as well as flooding rain and severe weather on its southeastern flank, but snow, plunging temperatures and blizzard conditions will be on its northwestern flank, accordingto AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Henry Margusity.

"The exact track and strength of such a strong storm would determine not only where the weather battle zone between rain, ice and snow would be, but also the northern and eastward extent of severe thunderstorms," Margusity said.

With a potential major storm in the Central states, the weather in the eastern and western thirds of the nation could be tranquil on Christmas Day.

Another scenario keeps the storm weak, fast and fragmented.

In this possible outcome, little wind, minimal temperature extremes and light precipitation would result. The storm or multiple storms would tend to move quickly across the nation from Friday through Christmas Day and Monday.

However, a weak storm scenario with areas of light precipitation could still cause some travel problems, such as reduced visibility