A strong ice storm moves across four U.S. states, bringing winter weather and travel challenges. The state weather agency advises caution and preparedness.

A powerful storm is expected to bring ice buildup and strong winds to Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania through Thursday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).The affected areas reportedly include north-central and western Maryland, northwest Virginia, eastern and panhandle West Virginia, and central and western Pennsylvania.

An Ice Storm Warning means that at least 1/4 inch of ice accumulation is expected.

Officials warn that some areas could see up to half an inch of ice, with wind gusts reaching 35 mph, increasing the risk of widespread outages and blocked roads.The storm will make travel challenging, especially on bridges and overpasses, which freeze quickly.

Icy roads could lead to accidents and closures. Heavy ice on power lines and trees may cause widespread outages that last for days. Falling branches could damage power lines, making repairs slow.

Travel may be impossible, especially during the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commutes.

Officials urge people to stay off the roads and prepare for possible power loss. The NWS has identified cities and counties expected to be impacted by the storm.In Maryland, the warning covers Garrett, Washington, and Allegany counties, including Extreme Western,Central, and Eastern Allegany. Meanwhile, in Virginia, the warning extends to the counties of Frederick and Clarke as well as the Northern Virginia Blue Ridge area.