Millions of individuals along the northern Gulf Coast are preparing for an unusual winter storm expected to bring heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain to the Deep South as Arctic air grips the eastern United States. The National Weather Service anticipates snow and sleet accumulations ranging from 3 to 7 inches in parts of southern Mississippi and southeast Louisiana, including New Orleans, by Tuesday. Houston airports in Texas have announced the suspension of flight operations due to hazardous conditions from the severe winter weather approaching the region.
Residents from Texas to north Florida are hurriedly taking precautions such as insulating pipes, checking heating systems, and stocking up on emergency supplies. Elsewhere, the East Coast is covered in snow, while bitterly cold temperatures from the frigid Arctic air mass have people from the Northern Plains to Maine shivering well below normal levels.
Approximately 40 million people across the southern U.S. are under various weather advisories, with over 21 million under a winter storm warning. Meteorologist Marc Chenard from the National Weather Service in College Park, Maryland, states that about 170 million people are under an extreme warning or cold weather advisory from the Rockies eastward.
In New Orleans, Lakesha Reed, manager of Beaucoup Eats catering, had to cancel her plans to cook for an event in Washington, D.C., as flights were grounded due to extreme cold. FlightAware reported nearly 600 flight cancellations within the U.S. by Monday evening, with over 6,500 delays and more than 1,700 cancellations for Tuesday.
Winter storm warnings are in effect from Texas to Florida, with heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain expected until Wednesday. A state of emergency was declared for several New York counties due to heavy lake-effect snow forecasted near Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, along with extreme cold temperatures.
Governors in Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama have declared states of emergency, and many school systems have canceled classes for Tuesday. The storm is predicted to impact Texas from Monday night spreading eastward through Wednesday, with heavy snow along the Interstate 10 corridor and sleet and freezing rain in south Texas, southeast Georgia, and northern Florida.
Forecasters caution about sub-freezing morning lows that could harm sensitive vegetation and exposed plumbing in areas unaccustomed to such cold. Louisiana officials warn against unnecessary travel during the storm, as icy roads could pose dangers. Warming centers are being set up to assist the homeless population and preparations are underway to address potential power outages.
**Extreme Cold Weather Grips Eastern US, Disrupting Daily Life**
As much of the Eastern Seaboard battles some of the coldest temperatures this winter, residents are facing a variety of challenges brought on by the frigid conditions. A significant snow and ice accumulation has blanketed many areas, making travel difficult and dangerous. Supermarkets are bustling with shoppers who are stocking up on essential supplies to weather the storm.
William Jordan from New Orleans described the scene, saying, “Things were really chaotic with everyone rushing to the stores in the past couple of days. Most people were after the same items to whip up something warm like a gumbo.” The urgency to prepare for the severe weather has gripped communities across the region.
The Arctic blast that has descended upon the East Coast forced a change in plans for the presidential inauguration. Instead of the anticipated outdoor ceremony with crowds gathering on the National Mall, Donald Trump took the oath of office within the confines of the Capitol Rotunda. This shift in venue marked the first time an inaugural ceremony was held indoors since Ronald Reagan’s in 1985.
In addition to the East Coast, the cold snap is extending its reach into the Rockies and Northern Plains, where temperatures are plunging well below normal. Wind chills of minus 40 degrees to minus 55 degrees have been forecasted, creating hazardous conditions for residents in these areas. Cold weather advisories have been issued across the Great Lakes region, with Chicago bracing for a bone-chilling wind chill of around minus 22 degrees.
The disruption in the polar vortex is to blame for the unrelenting cold, causing temperatures to plummet across the country. In Texas, residents are on edge as the threat of frozen pipes looms. Jonathan LeBron, a plumbing manager in the Houston area, shared, “There is a sense of panic among homeowners. The last freeze was several years ago, so people are concerned about their pipes freezing and bursting.”
As the cold snap persists, concern is also mounting in Southern California, where dry conditions and strong Santa Ana winds pose a continued fire risk. The region, which has already been ravaged by deadly blazes, remains on high alert as the unpredictable weather patterns persist.
The resilience of communities facing these extreme weather conditions is being tested, but the spirit of unity and preparedness is evident as residents band together to navigate through the challenges posed by Mother Nature.
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