Weekend storm may seem like a hurricane as winds rip from central to northeastern U.S.

A powerful storm, more typical of March, will cause winds to howl and may knock down trees, cut power and lead to travel problems from the Plains to the Midwest and Northeast this weekend.

For some, it may seem more like an inland hurricane, rather than a winter storm.

Gusts, in most cases, will fall short of that of a hurricane and fall within the range of 40-60 mph.

However, a few gusts may reach hurricane force, or 74 mph, over open areas of the Great Plains, along the shores of the Great Lakes and the ridges in the central Appalachians.

The strength of the storm itself and the alignment of winds near the ground and in many layers in the atmosphere above the ground will allow strong gusts from aloft to reach the surface.

From the lower Mississippi Valley to the Ohio Valley, strong wind gusts can precede, accompany and follow a severe weather and potential tornado outbreak on Saturday and Saturday night.

The same storm is forecast to bring blizzard conditions from the central Plains to the Upper Midwest this weekend.

The first areas to experience the high winds will be the southern and central Plains from late Friday night through Saturday.

During Saturday night and Sunday, the zone of high winds will shift northeastward and extend from the northern Plains and the Upper Midwest to the Great Lakes and the Ohio Valley.

From Sunday afternoon to Sunday night, the risk of high winds will expand to the Appalachians and onward to the mid-Atlantic and New England coasts.

In much of the Northeast, generally tranquil conditions are in store on Saturday as clouds increase and rain and spotty ice spread over the region.

However, while winds may be less intense than those experienced over the Midwest from late Sunday to Monday, very blustery conditions are likely to cause problems.

There will be an elevated risk of power outages with this event. Be sure to have flashlights on hand, prepare generators and have cell phones and extra batteries fully charged before the windstorm begins.

On the windward shoreline of the Great Lakes, significant overwash and flooding can occur.

The anticipated strength of the wind can cause minor property damage and remove loose shingles from roofs.

Loose items in the yard or near the street, such as trash cans and recycling bins, should be secured as they may become projectiles with the anticipated conditions.

Where air is funneled between tall buildings of the major cities, walking may be difficult.

Related: Winter storm blasts U.S. Southeast:

Gaps in the mountains and high bridges over area rivers may be especially difficult for motorists with high-profile vehicles. Commercial truck drivers should check for vehicle restrictions as the weekend progresses.

Winds this strong can easily break large tree limbs and knock trees over. A significant number of trees may be toppled as the soil with and without snowcover is saturated in many cases due to wet conditions from late last summer to the present.

Walking or driving through wooded areas may be hazardous. Avoid standing or parking under tall trees as limbs may crash to the ground with no notice.

Strong crosswinds may cause airline delays at some of the airports. There will be an increased risk of moderate to heavy low-level turbulence for airline passengers.

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