Weather forces I-40 closure in New Mexico, Texas

The weekend storm will target the central United States.

The blizzard resulted from a powerful storm system in the upper levels of the atmosphere, which spun counterclockwise across the Four Corners, with a circulation that enhanced the lifting of air across Texas and New Mexico.

The warning goes into effect at 6 p.m. Saturday through noon Monday.

Meanwhile, brutal winter weather will hit West Texas and surrounding regions Saturday night, lingering into Monday morning.

The rare winter blast is expected to bring high winds that could push wind-chill temperatures as low as -10F (-23C) and cause low visibility due to blowing and drifting snow.

All roads in and out of the well-known town of Roswell, New Mexico were shut down and were scheduled to remain that way through Sunday night, according to the local newspaper.

Drenching rain on Christmas Day led to flash floods across Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and MS, where residents were still recovering from tornadoes and severe storms that left 14 people dead Wednesday and Thursday.

Between 6 to 15 inches of snow are in the forecast for the region, which includes Amarillo and Lubbock.

Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain are likely in eastern Oklahoma, Arkansas, north-central Texas and Louisiana on Saturday, where more flooding is possible, according to the National Weather Service. The system will move into the Great Lakes and Northeast on Sunday and Monday, bringing 5 to 10 inches of snow for central and northern Maine.