On Tuesday, a strong and uncommon winter storm hit the South, sending the first-ever Blizzard Warning to the Gulf Coast and pelting places from Texas to Florida to the Carolinas with record-breaking snow that halted normal activity and jammed transport.
Significant transport implications were left for another day, though, as the thermometer still failed to reach near freezing over the snow-covered South as the sun rose on Wednesday.
Due to persistent snow and icy conditions that are predicted to last into Thursday morning, Florida, which more than exceeded its state record for snowfall, closed a roughly 200-mile section of Interstate 10 along the Panhandle on Wednesday night.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reports that five persons were killed in a multiple-vehicle incident along U.S. 57 in Zavala County early Tuesday morning, when the historic winter storm first hit Texas.
According to investigators, the first collision occurred in slippery conditions, making it difficult for multiple vehicles to stop. When the driver was also unable to stop due to the winter road conditions, a semi-truck struck the three automobiles involved in the collision.
Before combining with moisture over the Gulf of Mexico, the storm proceeded eastward, bringing sleet and precipitation to Austin and San Antonio.
As temperatures dropped and wind chills made it feel much colder, the storm then intensified over southeast Texas, dropping snow on the Houston metro area.
Snow and ice blanketed roads and highways, including the heavily traveled Interstate 10 corridor. This resulted in multiple crash reports and the closure of portions of the roadway for several hours.
Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) and George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) were closed all of Tuesday and only reopened on Wednesday morning.
Tuesday was the third-snowiest day on record at the airport, with HOU receiving 3 inches of snow, the most in a single day since Jan. 30, 1949, when 3.1 inches fell. IAH got one and a half inches.
Hospitals canceled outpatient visits, and schools and colleges throughout the region canceled classes. On Wednesday, Port Houston was also anticipated to stay closed.
NC Prepares for Extreme Cold and Snow with White Flag Shelters and Utility Support
In New Orleans, record snow creates strange landscapes.
The first-ever Blizzard Warning was issued for the beaches of Louisiana and southeast Texas as a result of the combination of severe wind gusts and heavy snow, which brought blizzard and near-blizzard conditions to the Gulf Coast.
The normally bustling Big Easy came to a halt as the record-breaking storm dumped a lot of snow on New Orleans, covering palm palms with fresh flakes.
By noon, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) recorded 8 inches of snow, breaking New Orleans’ one-day snow total record. The new record surpasses the previous one of 2.7 inches set on December 31, 1963. The city has only ever had larger snowfalls in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Airlines canceled all outgoing flights on Wednesday, while MSY officials said they were still keeping an eye on winter weather conditions.
“Airlines will continue to evaluate if additional cancellations will occur on Thursday, Jan. 23 based on conditions in the local area as well as on the airfield,” stated officials.
The NBA declared that the Milwaukee Bucks vs. New Orleans Pelicans game scheduled for Wednesday night has been postponed.
NC Coast Blanketed in Snow, Bridges to Three Beach Islands Shut Down
Across the Florida Panhandle, flakes fly.
Due to the uncommon Winter Storm Warnings that were issued from Pensacola to Jacksonville, Florida also saw significant effects from the winter storm.
The town received 8.9 inches of snow, smashing the previous record of 4 inches, making Pensacola a breathtaking winter wonderland and the snowiest day in Florida history. Pensacola received 8.9 inches of snow in a single day, more than it had experienced in the 124 seasons prior.
Tallahassee National Weather Service meteorologists say it will take a few days to confirm all the snowfall claims and find out if any city in the Sunshine State beat the Pensacola metro for the biggest snow measurement ever.
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