Winter Storm Blankets Gulf Coast in Rare Snowfall
As the sun set on Monday evening, the city of Houston found itself transformed into a winter wonderland as snowflakes gently fell from the sky. Forecasters had been predicting the arrival of a historic winter storm that would bring rare snow and frigid temperatures to the Gulf Coast region, affecting more than 55 million people from Texas to Louisiana.
The storm made its presence known as it blanketed Houston, Baton Rouge, and other southern cities with snow and ice, prompting officials to take precautionary measures. In Houston, both George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Hobby Airport announced the suspension of flight operations starting at midnight on Tuesday.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry issued a stern warning to residents, urging them to stay off the roads and take necessary precautions to prevent pipes from freezing. “It is extremely important to stay off the road,” Landry emphasized during a news conference. “Unless you absolutely need to be on the road, stay at home and stay warm.”
While most areas are expected to receive a dusting of up to 4 inches of snow, some parts of Texas and Louisiana could see accumulations of up to 6 inches, according to forecasts. The National Weather Service office in Houston reported that snow had already started to move across southeast Texas and was expected to intensify.
As the storm continued its path, moderate snowfall was anticipated along Interstate 10 from New Orleans to the Florida Panhandle, with icy conditions forecasted for Tallahassee and Jacksonville. The lack of snowplows in many Gulf Coast cities raised concerns about the storm’s potential impact and the ability to clear roads efficiently.
In preparation for the wintry conditions, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development stockpiled 400,000 pounds of salt to treat roads and bridges if needed. Officials also began outlining plans for possible road closures to ensure public safety.
Temperatures were predicted to plummet below freezing in Louisiana, with wind chills making it feel even colder. New Orleans and other parts of the state were expected to experience temperatures in the teens early Tuesday morning, while wind chills in southwest Mississippi could drop to 6 to 9 degrees by Wednesday.
Further north, freezing rain threatened to extend into coastal Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, adding to the wintry mix that was gripping the region. As the week progressed, snow off the Atlantic coast and heavy rain were forecasted to impact the Florida Peninsula, creating challenging conditions for residents and travelers.
Cold alerts were issued for a vast stretch of the country, from the Rocky Mountains to southern Texas and central Florida, with temperatures projected to be 20 to 40 degrees below average. The prolonged duration of below-freezing temperatures in many areas raised concerns about potential infrastructure issues, such as widespread pipe bursts.
In some parts of the Rockies, the northern Plains, and the Upper Midwest, wind chills were expected to make temperatures feel as low as minus 55 degrees, posing significant health risks to
