Live updates: Rare winter storm hitting Gulf Coast could bring historic snowfall

By Bogorpedia January 21, 2025 Post a Comment

Heavy impacts and snowfall are expected along the Gulf Coast, stretching from Texas to the Carolinas, through Wednesday, including the possibility of snow falling on beaches.

Snow began falling in Austin, San Antonio and Houston by early Tuesday, with up to 2 inches reported across the state. Louisiana and Florida are expected to be among the snowiest states in the country during this period. The storm could also surpass records in New Orleans, which may experience its largest snowfall on record. Parts of southern Louisiana are under a blizzard warning, marking the first time a blizzard warning has been issued for the Gulf Coast area.

9:30 AM: Analysis from Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Red states football

Residents in Houston, where snow is a rare occurrence, woke up to find their neighborhoods, including those with palm trees and shores near the beach, covered with multiple inches of snow, with more flakes continuing to fall.

Houston's school district, one of the country's largest where snow days are unusual, closed, as did both the city's airports and many stores (Though, HEB groceries opened late).

Sidewalks on the side streets were nearly empty and hadn't been cleared, but some stores had already treated them with salt and sand in anticipation.

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Along the Gulf Coast, temperatures are expected to fall to the teens at night. Fresh snow cover will help trap cold air near the ground and reflect sunlight back into space.

Severe cold temperatures will pose a hazard to people, pets, plants, and pipes, which may freeze and rupture as a result of the freezing conditions. Unfortunately, no state will be exempt from harsh freezing temperatures over the next two weeks.

8:36 AM: Analysis from Ben Noll, Weather and climate data research and visualization

A bitterly cold wind chill is expected to affect the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan through Wednesday, with temperatures feeling colder than minus-40. About 35 states will experience wind chill values lower than minus-10, reaching as far south as western North Carolina, which was impacted by Hurricane Helene.

8:01 AM: Severe to intense storm effects anticipated in various areas

The Winter Storm Severity Index, a tool provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, indicates that significant winter storm impacts are likely in Texas, Louisiana, southern Mississippi, southern Alabama, and certain areas of Florida and Georgia.

Significant impacts will be felt primarily in southern Louisiana, while moderate effects are anticipated to be felt further north through the Carolinas.

By: Ben Noll

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It's recommended to "stay up-to-date on local and state weather forecasts, as well as any safety alerts provided by government authorities."

7:17 AM: What is causing the cold and snow?

It is a part of the polar vortex.

A ring of extremely cold air fell from its typical home near Greenland in the Arctic and wandered farther south in the United States.

Because of this, some of the coldest air on Earth is over the United States on Tuesday.

The vortex is expected to leave by the end of the week, which may clear the way for more typical temperatures next week.

By: Ben Noll

7:16 AM: Snow is falling in various areas of Texas and Louisiana.

Snow was falling and building up in various parts of Texas and Louisiana, hitting cities including San Antonio, Austin, Houston in Texas, and Lake Charles, Lafayette, and Baton Rouge in Louisiana by early Tuesday.

The storm, which has the potential to deliver record-breaking amounts of snow to several cities and states, will intensify throughout the day, bringing snow to Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, the Florida Panhandle, and the Carolinas.

Parts of southern Louisiana are under a blizzard warning. This is the first time a blizzard warning has ever been issued for the Gulf Coast.

Snow will blanket palm trees and the white sand beaches of the Gulf Coast, with snowfall accumulation ranging from 1 to 3 inches in some areas and 3 to 6 inches in others, depending on the specific location.

The photos may be visually appealing, but the heavy, wet snow poses a risk to the local infrastructure and could make traveling extremely hazardous.