The top line
Snowfall records were broken in the Gulf Coast states of Texas, Alabama, Florida and Louisiana this week as an unusual winter storm swept the region, causing shutdowns, travel disruptions and several deaths. More severe weather is yet to come.
The Pete Fountain statue is covered in snow on January 21, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Key facts
Florida experienced its heaviest snowfall on record Tuesday as early as 8.8 inches Recorded in Milton, north of Pensacola, breaking state. 130 year old record For total snowfall (3 inches of snow fell in Pensacola in 1895).
Parts of Louisiana received up to 9 inches of snow, and 8 inches in New Orleans devastated the city. previous The highest snowfall was 2.7 inches in 1963.
Mobile, Alabama, Reported 7.5 inches of snow – breaking the previous record of 3.6 inches set in 1973.
Houston received 3 inches of snow on Tuesday, making it the third snowiest day on record Fox Weatherand marking the most one-day snowfall since January 30, 1949.
Brought the storm The first time Blizzard warnings were issued for coastal parts of Louisiana and Texas, and states of emergency were issued by governors across the South.
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Snow hangs down from a car during a snowy winter storm in Galveston, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. … [+]
Surprising fact
New Orleans, which has 8 inches of snow this week. More snow This year compared to Salt Lake City, which has seen 6 inches this season.
Big number
10. How many people have these been? Confirmation of death Amid powerful winter storms in the South, including three caused by the cold and five in one car accident due to icy roads in South Texas, according to the New York Times.
Tangent
According to , thousands of flights have been canceled in the Southeast this week. FlightAware. The most affected airports were George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston (795 cancellations), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (349) and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (231).
A man walks on snow after a snowfall in Tallahassee, Florida.
Where can more snow fall?
South Georgia could get up to 3 more inches of snow before 1 p.m. Wednesday. National Weather Service warned, in addition to another inch of snow in North Florida. There are winter storm warnings. Still in effect In northern Florida, southern Georgia, and southern South Carolina. Parts of Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas are still under severe cold warnings, and parts of Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana are under freeze warnings. Much of Georgia has been affected by a “Special Weather Statement” warning for icy conditions that bring slick, icy roads.
Key background
This week’s historic winter storm Hit Texas firstbringing rare snow and sleet around Austin and San Antonio, before strengthening near the Gulf of Mexico, bringing snow to Houston and triggering the first-ever blizzard warnings for the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and southeast Texas. New Orleans was hit before the storm continued east to affect Alabama, Mississippi and Florida. The storm was caused by the polar vortex, a swirling mass of arctic air usually held in check by the polar jet stream that can break free when the jet stream weakens. Scientist with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warned that rapid Arctic warming, also known as Arctic amplification, is a major contributor to extreme winter weather that is increasing in frequency between October and February. Extreme cold is more likely to kill people than extreme heat, and the death rate in the winter months has been 8% to 12% higher than in the non-winter months in the United States over the past several years. Environmental Protection Agency.
Further reading
