A rapidly strengthening storm is expected to develop off the Southeast coast this weekend amid a deadly cold outbreak, bringing snow and strong winds just days after a historic winter storm blasted large parts of the East Coast.

As millions of Americans hunker down for the winter storm, 19 states and Washington, D.C., have declared states of emergency.

Up to a foot is possible this weekend in parts of the Southeast and on Cape Cod, with smaller amounts expected for much of the East Coast.

Another storm may be set to hit the East Coast, even as much of the U.S. is still reeling from last weekend's weather.

Winter storm: Death toll rises as winter storm continues dumping snow across the U.S Heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain are slamming large parts of the U.S. as the dangerously cold weather causes major power outages and travel disruptions.

That uncertainty is not unusual at this early stage. Forecasters rely on a blend of weather models — computer simulations used to predict future conditions — and they are more confident in a forecast when most of those models are consistent with one another. The closer the storm is, the more confident forecasters become.

Reporters from across the NPR Network are covering the storm in each state — the impact and how officials are responding.

The Nashville airport is nearing normal operations again, three days after a massive winter storm hit the city. Here's what to know:

The warnings come ahead of a "significant" snow event accompanying a winter storm set to hit the U.S. this weekend.

This past weekend, Winter Storm Fern struck the States. Sleet, snow and ice battered Americans all the way from New Mexico to New York. Scientists predicted its arrival in mid-January, and in anticipation of the storm,