Millions of people across the northern Gulf Coast are steeling themselves for a rare winter storm as snow, sleet, and freezing rain threaten to disrupt the Deep South, with a swath of the US East plunged into severe cold by Arctic air. The impactful weather has led to extensive flight delays and cancellations, as per data from FlightAware.com, underscoring the widespread disruption that extends from Texas right through to Florida, as reported by WGN-TV.
According to The Guardian, around 40 million people find themselves under various weather hazard warnings, with over 21 million specifically slapped with a winter storm warning, says Marc Chenard of the National Weather Service; Texas, already feeling the bite of the storm's onset, saw Houston's airports suspend flight operations in anticipation of hazardous conditions, while residents hustled to wrap pipes, bolster heating, and gather supplies, reflecting a populace bracing for the uncommon chill.
State emergencies were declared in multiple states, and with governors in Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama preemptively making the call, the storm's severity is not to be underestimated, a sentiment echoed in the school closures across these regions. Notably, the blizzard warning issued for southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana marks a historic moment, one not seen since 1960. Meteorologist Donald Jones from the Lake Charles office highlighted the extremity of this weather event in a statement obtained by WGN-TV.
On the East Coast, a thick blanket of snow covers the landscape, and an arctic air mass has plunged temperatures significantly below seasonal norms, prompting concerns about the wind chills that "were expected to reach minus 30 to minus 50" in parts of the Dakotas and Upper Midwest; this stark cold poses a serious risk for hypothermia and frostbite, as noted by WGN-TV. Yet again, schools across districts have shuttered to protect students from the bitter cold; some opted for virtual classes to continue the day's learning.
Amid this chill, the storm's path is clear: it will continue moving eastward, leaving behind expectations of historic snowfall and the potential for power outages in areas where snow and ice accumulate significantly, as warned by the weather service. Homeowners, like Jonathan LeBron, plumbing manager at Nick's Plumbing & Air Conditioning in Houston, are preparing for a surge of calls from residents facing the threat of frozen pipes—a logistical challenge that highlights a community unprepared for such an icy visitor.
