Winter storm buries Florida, Texas, Louisiana and Alabama, breaking 140-year-old snowfall records
The winter storm that hit the southern United States this week broke historical records, leaving unprecedented snow accumulations in states such as Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Florida. According to Fox Newsthe city of Miltonin it panhandle of Florida, registered 22.3 centimeters of snowthe largest amount ever documented in the state, far surpassing the previous record of 10.2 cm in 1954. The storm also caused the closure of airports, roads and schoolswhile subzero temperatures threaten to keep ice on the streets for several days.
He US National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed that the storm reached unprecedented levels in Florida, a state known for its warm weather. Fox Weather reported that snowfall covered cities like Pensacola, Tallahassee and Jacksonvillewith accumulations that ranged between 5 and 20 cm. The storm also affected the neighboring state Georgiawhere up to 20 cm of snow in some sectors.
The meteorologist Dave Osterbergof FOX 13declared: “We have not seen snowfall of this level in the south since 1895.” The situation took many residents by surprise, as Florida is not equipped with snowplows or infrastructure to deal with storms of this type.
The storm’s impact was soon felt on the state’s infrastructure. According to The Associated Press (AP)the airports of Tallahassee and Jacksonville they suspended all flights on Tuesday, with plans to resume operations at noon Wednesday. The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantisdeclared the state of emergencymobilizing teams to address icy roads. “We are mobilizing snow plows in Florida, something unthinkable,” DeSantis said at a news conference.
One of the most affected points was the Interstate 10 (I-10)where a stretch of 112 km between Pensacola and the Alabama border it had to be closed due to the accumulation of snow and ice, reported FoxNews. Besides, numerous road accidents They were recorded early Wednesday morning due to dangerous pavement conditions.
Florida was not the only state affected. According to Washington Postthe storm covered cities in snow Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Carolinaswith record accumulations in several locations. In New Orleansthe snowfall exceeded 20cmsurpassing the previous record of 6.8cmregistered on December 31, 1963.
In Mobile, Alabamathe storm left 13.7 cm of snowbreaking the record of 12.7cm of 1881. In the city of Camilla, Georgiathey registered 20cma historic figure for the region, according to The Washington Post. The winter storm left up to 15.2 centimeters of snow in Texas. The largest accumulations were recorded in La Porte, Pine Forest and Vidorwith 15.2cm each one. Additionally, in the Houston region up to 10cmaccording to the N.W.S..
The authorities of several states They closed roads and suspended classes in colleges and universities. According to APmore than 2,300 flights were canceled on Tuesday throughout the US, especially affecting airports in Houston, New Orleans and Atlanta.
The origin of the storm is due to a combination of unusual factors. According to The Washington Post, a arctic air mass descended from the Yukon Territory, Canadauntil the Gulf of Mexicomeeting high humidity levels in the region. This unusual combination created favorable conditions for snow formation in states where temperatures low enough for it are rarely recorded. Experts highlight that these types of events are extremely rare in the southeastern United States. “The combination of extreme polar air and humidity from the Gulf has generated an unusual storm,” explained the NWS.
The extreme cold will persist in the coming days. According to FoxNews, in northern Florida they are expected minimum temperatures down to -5°Cwhich means that the Ice on roads could last for several days. In New Orleans, the temperature dropped to -16°Cthe lowest value recorded since 1893, reported The Washington Post.
He N.W.S. warned about a thaw and refreeze cycle which could extend into the weekend, increasing the risk of road accidents and power outages. However, temperatures will begin to gradually recover starting on Saturday, with maximums close to 20°C in some southern areas.
