'Life-threatening' winter storm expected to hit the east coast

The storm is prompting severe warnings because of intense winds and an unusual amount of snowfall

National weather experts are warning of a potentially "crippling winter storm" bearing down on the eastern US from Friday through Sunday that began forming quickly late Wednesday, with deadly results.

Washington, DC, is in the bull's eye of the approaching tempest, but storm conditions ranging from hail and severe thunder to several feet of snow are forecast from Florida to New England.