A winter storm moving across the U.S. South on Tuesday was bringing unprecedented levels of snowfall to many residents. Moisture from the Gulf of Mexico was mixing with a low-pressure system and cold air, resulting in significant snow accumulation in various areas. By midday Tuesday, Lafayette, Louisiana had received 10.5 inches of snow, coming close to the state record of 13 inches set in 1960. Baton Rouge, Louisiana saw 6 inches, while New Orleans had over 5 inches, surpassing the 1963 record of 2.7 inches. In Texas, the Houston-Galveston region had received 2.4 inches before noon.
The National Weather Service’s office in Lake Charles, Louisiana issued its first-ever blizzard warning on Tuesday. A video shared by the NWS’ Mobile office showed people having a snowball fight in Orange Beach, Alabama, near the Gulf of Mexico. Meteorologist Tom Kines from AccuWeather described the snowstorm as a rare and memorable event for many residents in the region who are not accustomed to such weather.
The Gulf Coast, known for hurricanes, typically does not experience snow often, according to meteorologist Bradley Brokamp from the NWS office in Houston. This weather phenomenon is more common in the Northeast, where snowy winters and tropical storms occasionally occur together. In Houston, where 2 to 4 inches of snow was expected, the Yale Street Grill was one of the few businesses open in an inner-city neighborhood. Workers at the restaurant took a break to build a 3-foot tall snowman.
Elsewhere, the Florida Panhandle and Mobile were forecasted to receive 2 to 6 inches of snow, with historical records dating back to the 19th century. The snowfall near Lafayette, though impressive, fell short of a major snowstorm that hit the Gulf Coast in 1895.
The widespread cold affecting much of the U.S. is due to a disruption of the polar vortex, bringing frigid temperatures to various regions. This disruption is connected to human-caused climate change, with scientists warning of more frequent extreme weather events as a result of rising Arctic temperatures and altered air pressure patterns.
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