U.S. Deep South hindered by memorable winter storm
A once-in-a-generation winter storm event is underway in the southern United States, which has brought significant impacts, including two 'suspected,' cold-related deaths, to cities and residents unaccustomed to winter weather
A historic winter storm has made its way to the United States' Deep South on Tuesday.
States sitting on the Gulf Coast are more accustomed to warm temperatures and tropical storms than the cold, snowy systems we get here in the North.
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As such, this is likely to be a once-in-a-generation event for many residents of the Deep South.
Even though the snow will be ending by Wednesday, the issue of the deep freeze will be continuing beyond. According to the City of Austin, there have been two "suspected" fatalities from the cold exposure in Austin-Travis County, Texas, although not confirmed at this point.
The same surge of Arctic air across Canada has reached deep into the heart of the U.S., kick-starting a low-pressure system over the Gulf that has drawn in moist, tropical air—resulting in the perfect ingredients for a major winter storm.
Unfortunately, municipalities and counties in the Deep South do not have the necessary equipment to clear the snow. This will make roads and highways across the states incredibly dangerous for drivers not typically exposed to driving in snowy conditions, especially as vehicles in the South are not equipped with winter tires.
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Widespread flight delays and cancellations are occurring. Airports in Houston, Texas, have already shut down all services on Tuesday due to the blast of snow.
Historic winter storm shaping up
Winter storm warnings spanned more than 2,500 km of the southern United States, covering nine states—from southern Texas to North Carolina, southeastern Virginia, and even parts of the Florida Panhandle!
This major winter storm already made history early Tuesday when the National Weather Service (NWS) for Lake Charles, La., issued its first-ever blizzard warning for the city and surrounding areas.
Many of the cities impacted by this storm's snow and ice were also victims of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.
A swath of 10-20 cm of snow is forecast to stretch from New Orleans, La., all the way to Tallahassee, Fla.
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The last measurable snowfall in New Orleans was Dec. 4, 2009, and the last comparable event, where the city received around 20 cm of snow, was Feb. 14-15, 1895—more than 130 years ago!
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA)'s Hurricane Hunters were also sent into the storm on Tuesday morning to record weather data for this historic storm.
Storm and cold persists
Significant snow has already fallen in Houston, as well as parts of Louisiana, and will continue to move east through the day. It has also already fallen in New Orleans.
Snow has already reached southern Mississippi, Alabama, the western Panhandle of Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia.
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Snowy conditions will begin to ease west to east starting late Tuesday evening. Conditions should be improved by Wednesday morning.
Parts of northern Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas will have to battle with ice pellets and freezing rain as the warm, moist air clashes with the cold Arctic air.
Farther south, Orlando, Tampa, and Miami, Fla., will only be seeing rain with this event.
Contains files from Dennis Mersereau, a writer at The Weather Network.
