An unprecedented winter storm is moving over the southeastern United States, threatening to dump snow on Florida for the first time in more than a decade. The combination of a mass of arctic air with a low pressure system coming from the Gulf of Mexico will bring extreme temperatures, snowfall and freezing rain to regions unaccustomed to this type of climate, reported the National Weather System (NWS).
Meteorologists warn that this could become a storm historicalwith accumulations of snow and ice in southern cities such as Houston, New Orleans, Tallahassee and Jacksonvillewhere snowfall is unusual. More than 230 million people are under some type of weather warning due to temperatures up to -48°C that affect various parts of the country, according to CNN.
The cold wave has led multiple states to declare state of emergency and activate response plans in the face of what meteorologists describe as a unprecedented weather event in the southern US. Authorities have warned about possible power outages, supply shortages, and extremely dangerous travel conditions. In cities like Houston and New Orleansgovernment offices and schools will temporarily close, while airports will cancel flights and highways could become impassable.
The extreme cold has brought thermometers to levels 20 to 30 degrees below the seasonal averageaffecting millions of people from the Midwest to the Gulf of Mexico, according to the National Weather Service.
The winter system will especially affect the southern USwith snow and ice in places where this type of phenomenon is extremely rare. According to meteorologists cited by USA Todaythe storm will move through the Gulf of Mexico between Monday and Wednesday, leaving accumulations of snow and freezing rain in several states.
- Texas: Houston could receive up to 10 cm of snowthe largest amount since 1960.
- Louisiana: New Orleans, which has not seen measurable snowfall since 2009, could see up to 8 cm of snow.
- Mississippi: Until 5 cm of snow in Jackson and Biloxi, with temperatures below freezing all week.
- Alabama and Georgia: Ice accumulations are expected that could make roads impassable.
- Florida: Possible snow accumulation in Tallahassee and Jacksonvillesomething that has not happened for a long time 35 yearsaccording to AccuWeather. If snow comes to Florida, it would be the first time since 2010 that the 50 states of the country record snowfall in the same winter, reported CNN.
Several cities have declared state of emergency and have taken measures to minimize the impact of the storm:
- Houston: The mayor John Whitmire has called for airport closures and warnings about freezing water pipes.
- New Orleans: Suspension of public transportation and closure of schools.
- Tallahassee: Cancellation of legislative meetings and suspension of classes at Florida A&M University.
- Atlanta and Savannah: Warnings about ice accumulations that could affect the electrical supply.
- Pensacola and Jacksonville: Possible accumulation of snow and icy roads.
He Georgia Governor Brian Kempdeclared state of emergencyurging citizens to prepare for several days without leaving home. For his part, the New Orleans Emergency Director, Colin Arnold warned that residents should prepare for three days without leaving home
Airlines and authorities have issued travel warnings due to the storm. Hundreds of flight cancellations are expected in Texas, Louisiana and Georgia. Furthermore, the highway Interstate 10which crosses the south of the country, will have extremely dangerous driving conditions. He National Weather Service has urged the population to avoid any unnecessary travelas roads could become impassable in several areas of the southeast.
