Snow, damaging winds and dangerous coastal flooding are expected to impact parts of the southern Appalachians, the Carolinas and southern Virginia this weekend as a powerful winter storm rapidly intensifies off the Southeast coast.

CLEVELAND — A blizzard is not defined by how much snow falls, but by how the atmosphere behaves. It’s a storm where wind, cold, and snow combine in a way that reshapes the landscape and slows daily life to a crawl. To meteorologists, a blizzard is a specific set of conditions. To those who experience one, it’s a reminder of winter’s raw power.

A potential blizzard is headed to the Southeast this weekend, impacting the Carolinas, Georgia, Virginia and Tennessee.

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. (WNCN) — Authorities in Dare County at the Outer Banks on Friday declared a state of emergency heading into the weekend, with threats of a dangerous snow storm, brutal cold, and flooding.

A blizzard is a couple of giant steps above a winter storm. According to the National Weather Service, a storm officially qualifies as a blizzard when winds reach or exceed 35 mph and when the visibility drops to only a quarter mile or less. These conditions need to stay active for at least 3 hours.

AccuWeather says the potential is growing for a very strong nor'easter on Saturday and Sunday with widespread impacts from snow, wind and coastal flooding.

North Carolina is preparing for another significant winter storm from Friday night, Jan. 30, through the weekend.

From Virginia Beach, AccuWeather Meteorologist Tony Laubach shows the aftermath of a winter storm: Snow has ended, but powerful winds, blowing sand and rough surf will continue along the coast during the morning hours.