Winter Storm Chaos: 43 States Slammed with Extreme Cold Alerts and Freeze Warnings
(Scott Olson / Getty Images)
A massive winter storm has plunged the United States into chaos, with 43 states under cold weather alerts and bone-chilling temperatures affecting approximately 40 million Americans. Dubbed a “once in a generation” event, the storm has prompted the first-ever blizzard warnings for Texas and Louisiana as it moves across the Southern states, creating “white-out conditions.”
Snow has already been reported in cities like Austin and Houston, as well as parts of Mississippi and Alabama, with forecasts predicting the storm will continue toward Florida, North Carolina, Charleston, Atlanta, and South Carolina. According to experts at The Weather Channel, these areas could see snowfall ranging from four to eight inches.
The frigid conditions have wreaked havoc on travel, with nearly 2,000 flight cancellations reported nationwide. George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston announced a complete suspension of flight operations at 8:30 a.m. EST due to the storm.
A spokesperson posted on X: “Flight operations are temporarily suspended and our dedicated teams remain on site preparing for a safe return to operations as soon as weather conditions allow.” New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell urged residents to take precautions, describing the storm as the worst since the 1960s.
AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter explained the storm’s severity: “This is not an intense, well-developed storm, but the frigid air interacting with moisture from the Gulf will produce significant snow and ice in places that rarely receive accumulations of snow and ice. This winter storm will virtually shut down travel for days in some areas.”
Experts predict snowfall accumulations of six to 12 inches north of I-10 in southeastern Texas and southwestern Louisiana, with some areas seeing up to 14 inches. Even light snow is expected to create hazardous conditions in regions unaccustomed to such weather due to limited snow-melting resources.
“There are limited snowplows, salt supplies, and sanders in communities along the Gulf Coast,” Porter noted. “It could take crews days to clear and treat all roads and bridges in some areas, especially with the unusual cold persisting after the storm.”
Porter also warned of the dangers posed by elevated roadways: “Cold air can pass over and underneath elevated roads and bridges, allowing temperatures to drop and snow and ice to accumulate faster than on surface streets.
As snow intensifies, a layer of ice may form beneath the snow, creating extremely treacherous conditions.” Travelers are advised to delay plans if possible and use extreme caution when navigating affected areas during the storm.
