Hundreds of thousands of Americans could go without heat "for days" beginning this weekend when a catastrophic winter storm carves a path across a wide swath of the U.S.

A severe winter storm is expected to sweep across the United States this week, with a potent cocktail of heavy snow, ice and extreme cold, affecting up to 160 million people.

Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater declared on Friday a local state of emergency that takes effect at noon on Saturday.