Storms spawned at least one tornado, sent creeks over their banks and caused flash flooding Thursday in portions of West Virginia and Kentucky, while a wintry mix coated trees and roads in ice and even dropped “thunder ice” in several states.

The ingredients needed to create blockbuster Northeast winter storms historically align this month, all that’s needed is a storm to take the right track.

Thunderstorms brought heavy rains and caused flash flooding in portions of West Virginia, while a wintry mix coated trees and roads in ice and even dropped “thunder ice” in several states

ARLINGTON, Va. − A wall of snow, ice and rain was sweeping across the Northeast on Thursday, the first in a series of storms forecast to wallop much of the nation's northern tier over the next several days.

Residents and storm spotters in portions of Indiana, southern Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania reported the unusual mix of freezing rain accompanied by flashes of lightning in the unstable air.