Millions of residents across the Southern U.S. woke up to a rare chance to bust out the mittens and snow pants thanks to a cold snap that dumped snow in their backyards.

A developing winter storm system is threatening many southern states with a mix of snow, sleet and rain late Wednesday night and into Friday, the National Weather Service says.

Areas from Texas to the Carolinas will experience their first major winter storm in years from Thursday into the weekend — with snow stretching as far north as New England, and into areas pummeled by a storm earlier this week.