Where To Watch For Rounds Of Snow And Ice

Along with widespread severe weather, the nation's midsection faced a bout of high wind that started a wildfire outbreak in the Plains and pushed a visibility-crushing dust storm into Texas and Oklahoma.

On the backside of the same storm that's expected to produce a severe weather outbreak through the weekend, blizzard conditions were reported in parts of Minnesota on Saturday, where several inches of snow fell. The wintry side of this system was been named Winter Storm Marisol by The Weather Channel.

(MORE: Severe Outbreak Forecast)

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Widespread High Winds

Winds have gusted as high as 95 mph in San Agustin Pass, New Mexico, and 83 mph with blowing dust and less than a mile visibility in Amarillo, Texas, Friday afternoon. More than 200,000 customers have lost power in the Plains and Midwest. Numerous tractor trailers were pushed over in Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri. In some cases, roof damage has occurred and power poles have been snapped off near the base.

Blowing Dust, Extreme Fire Danger

A wildfire outbreak ignited Friday afternoon and evening from New Mexico to Missouri as extreme winds swept into the Plains. Evacuations are ongoing in some spots, including in Norman, Oklahoma, and more are possible until moisture returns and winds drop off.

These winds kicked up blowing dust across Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas, leading to sharp, sudden reductions in visibility. At least one pileup has occurred near Amarillo, Texas, due to strong winds and lowered visibilities. Here's a look at conditions in the eastern Texas panhandle: