In a stunning turn of events, Louisiana woke up to single-digit temperatures on Wednesday morning, adding an extra layer of chill to an already snow-covered landscape. Meteorologist Danielle Banks sheds light on this phenomenon, attributing the bone-chilling cold to a fascinating process known as the snowpack refrigeration effect.
Snow, with its high albedo or reflectivity, plays a key role in regulating temperatures. During the day, the snow on the ground reflects sunlight, effectively cooling the surface below. As night falls, the heat absorbed by the snow during daylight hours radiates back into the atmosphere, causing temperatures to plummet even further than if the ground were bare.
The impact of this historic storm is reverberating across various regions, with records tumbling under the weight of the winter onslaught. New Orleans finds itself shrouded in a white blanket, boasting 8 inches of snow – the largest snowstorm in modern history dating back to 1948. This wintry deluge marks the city’s snowiest day in over a century, eclipsing the previous record of a mere 2.7 inches.
Venturing further south, the State of Florida grapples with its own wintry milestones as Milton records a preliminary 8.8 inches of snow, more than doubling the previous 24-hour snow total record set back in 1954. Pensacola, Florida, and Mobile, Alabama, also etch their names into the record books with new all-time snow records, cementing their place in the frigid annals of weather history.
Meanwhile, in the wake of the storm’s icy grip, Texas finds itself grappling with the harsh reality of the cold snap. As temperatures plunge into the unforgiving single digits, Austin mourns the loss of two individuals to the bitter cold, a stark reminder of nature’s relentless power. Reports of “cold exposure” incidents continue to pour in, underscoring the perilous conditions faced by communities in the aftermath of the winter storm.
Closer to home, the Atlanta metropolitan area navigates a treacherous post-storm landscape, with schools grappling with the aftermath of the wintry chaos. The rapid freeze of snow on roads traps commuters in a frosty web, prompting school closures and delays across the region. Atlanta Public Schools and Clayton County Schools opt to cancel classes, heeding the call for caution in the face of icy uncertainty. Fulton County and Gwinnett County pivot to remote learning, adapting to the challenging conditions with resilience and resourcefulness. As the city awakens to a winter wonderland tinged with danger, Cobb County Schools opt for a delayed start, prioritizing safety in the face of nature’s wintry wrath.
As the snow slowly retreats, leaving behind a glistening tapestry of winter’s touch, communities across the affected regions grapple with the aftermath of the storm. From record-breaking snowfall to tragic losses, the winter storm of 2021 leaves an indelible mark on those who bore witness
