A major winter storm is set to spread heavy snow and damaging ice across a large portion of the United States over the coming days. Dangerously cold temperatures will only worsen the storm and increase its danger.

The storm will usher in frigid temperatures and spread heavy snow and ice across a 2,000-mile stretch of the country.

A fierce cold snap is in the forecast for the central and eastern U.S. starting around Nov. 8, forecasters warned, with record-breaking cold possible. The outbreak will bring the most significant temperature plunge since spring and affect more than 100 ...