A significant winter storm is impacting regions of the US deep south, delivering snow and freezing rain that have led to the closure of highways and airports in Texas. Notably, this weather event has resulted in a historic blizzard warning for southwest Louisiana for the first time.
Authorities are investigating the deaths of four individuals believed to have succumbed to cold exposure. In Texas, officials in Austin are looking into two cases that may be linked to the extreme cold, while reports from Georgia and Milwaukee indicate two fatalities attributed to hypothermia.
In the northern regions of New York state, residents are bracing for yet another storm, with forecasts predicting snowfall accumulation of up to 18 inches.
According to the online flight tracker Flight Aware, over 2,200 flights across the United States were cancelled on Tuesday and an additional 3,000 experienced delays.
The Gulf Coast, typically known for its mild winters, braces for an unprecedented weather event. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), historic snowfall is anticipated, with projections indicating that an inch of snow or more could accumulate each hour, stretching from eastern Texas to the western Florida Panhandle.
The National Weather Service has issued a warning for “heavy” lake-effect snow, urging residents to avoid travelling.
On Monday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in twelve counties across western New York as local communities grapple with severe snowfall and frigid temperatures.
Buffalo Mayor Christopher Scanlon has announced a new emergency measure, resulting in the closure of City Hall and Route 5, including the Buffalo Skyway, due to hazardous driving conditions caused by blowing snow.
Canada is currently experiencing a severe winter, as parts of the country face particularly frigid temperatures. Extreme cold warnings have been issued across the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. In certain regions, the wind chill factor is expected to drive temperatures down to a staggering -50C (-58F).
As of Tuesday afternoon local time, Rayne, Louisiana, has emerged as the site of the highest snowfall total in the southern United States, with an impressive 10.5 inches recorded, according to reports from the National Weather Service.
Forecasts indicate a significant temperature drop, likely dipping well below the typical January averages. This chilling trend may also lead to record-low temperatures extending from the coast into the Tennessee Valley.
In an unprecedented move, governors from multiple states, such as Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, have declared states of emergency due to the unusual cold weather conditions affecting their regions.
A storm impacting the southern United States originated in Texas on Monday evening. Meteorologists predict it will move eastward along Interstate 10, a key transportation route, through Wednesday morning.
By Tuesday afternoon, the storm had progressed into Georgia, impacting Florida’s panhandle and North and South Carolina.
State leaders and agencies rushed to address the unusual weather conditions.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated that the state’s infrastructure is “designed differently” compared to regions that frequently experience snowfall.
“Experiencing a winter wonderland is a rarity for residents of Florida,” he remarked.
DeSantis and North Carolina Governor Josh Stein have called on residents to remain home.
A bitterly cold air has settled over the southern and eastern United States, bringing extreme weather conditions expected to persist for the next few days.
Approximately 40 million individuals, mainly in the southern United States, faced various weather hazards, according to Marc Chenard, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, in an interview with CBS News, a partner of BBC. An additional 170 million individuals spanning from the Rockies to areas further east face extreme weather warnings or cold weather advisories.
Numerous school districts opted to cancel classes, while both airports in Houston halted flight operations.
The National Weather Service has issued a warning regarding the potential for “widespread” disruptions in air and land travel, which may persist for several days following the cessation of snowfall from the rare storm.
