A massive winter storm is set to unleash a potentially historic and crippling blast of winter weather across the United States, bringing dangerous cold, snow, ice, and travel disruptions to millions. While much of the country shivers in frigid temperatures far below normal, the South braces for a rare and potentially dangerous snowfall.
A blast of Arctic air has plunged temperatures 20 to 30 degrees below normal from the Canadian border to Mexico, with wind chills making conditions even more dangerous. Wind chills as low as 57 degrees below zero were reported in North Dakota, raising concerns about frostbite.
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Across the northern US, cities like Chicago, Minneapolis, Detroit, New York City, and Boston are facing days with high temperatures struggling to climb above freezing. Southern cities like Houston, Atlanta, and Memphis are also experiencing a prolonged period of freezing temperatures, raising concerns about potential pipe bursts.
Adding to the already dangerous cold, a major winter storm is set to bring snow, sleet, and freezing rain to a large swath of the South, including areas that rarely see such conditions. The Interstate 10 corridor from central Texas to northern Florida is expected to be particularly hard hit.
Snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are forecast from southeast Texas, including Houston, through Louisiana, Mississippi, and into parts of Georgia and South Carolina. Some areas, particularly in southeast Texas and southern Louisiana, could see even higher totals.
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New Orleans, which hasn’t seen measurable snow since 2009, could experience its snowiest day on record. Gusty winds combined with heavy snow could create whiteout conditions and potentially even blizzard conditions in parts of southern Louisiana. If a blizzard warning is issued, it would be the first in the region’s history.
Even Florida could see its first measurable snow since 2014, with Pensacola in the potential path of the storm. If snow accumulates in Florida, it will mark the first winter since 2010 that all 50 states have had measurable snow on the ground.
Florida Braces for Significant Impacts:
North Florida is now less than 24 hours away from the onset of this potentially historic winter storm. While uncertainty remains about the exact precipitation type in the eastern Panhandle, colder trends are increasing the likelihood of a messy mix of ice, sleet, and snow Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
Winter Storm Warnings, the first issued in Florida in seven years, are in effect from Pensacola to Gainesville and Jacksonville. The meteorological conditions are aligning to create the perfect storm for snow in Florida, with the necessary ingredients—an Arctic airmass, a triggering trough, and a favorable storm track—all coming together.
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The combination of snow, ice, and freezing rain is expected to create hazardous travel conditions across the South, with authorities urging residents to avoid all unnecessary travel. States of emergency have been declared in Louisiana and Texas, and resources are being mobilized to respond to the storm’s impacts.
Houston’s two major airports will be closed all day Tuesday, and schools in the Houston Independent School District will be closed until Wednesday. Officials warn that freezing rain and ice could make driving treacherous until mid-week, with below-freezing temperatures persisting until Friday.
The National Weather Service is urging residents to take precautions against the extreme cold and potential for power outages, downed trees, and frozen pipes. This historic winter storm is a reminder of the power of nature and the importance of being prepared for extreme weather events.
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