Track the forecast as snow storm brings ice and freezing cold weather

As a dangerously cold weather front bears down on the United States, much of the country can expect heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain.

The storm system is expected to hit the Northern Plains with subzero temperatures as early as Thursday, then reach the Mississippi Valley, Northeast and Ohio Valley by Sunday.

Texas and other Southern states could experience dangerously low temperatures as early as Saturday.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Weather Prediction Center’s Winter Storm Severity Index forecasts how dangerous conditions will become for travel and key infrastructure.

NBC News is tracking the center’s data on the interactive map below, which shows storm forecasts for the next 72 hours. It will be updated with the latest data every two hours.