A “historic” snowstorm has begun spreading snow and ice across a 1,000-mile swath of the United States from central Texas to northern Florida.
“For parts of the western and northern Gulf Coast, this could be the largest snow and ice storm in more than 100 years, and one people may remember for decades,” AccuWeather meteorologists said.
The storm threatens to halt travel for several days and cut off power for an extended period in part of the region, prompting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to issue a state of emergency in 61 counties.
It could break records such as four inches of snowfall ever in Florida over a 24-hour period.
The first-ever blizzard warning was also issued for southeast Texas and southern Louisiana, including the city of Lake Charles, La., where a mix of wintry weather has already been reported.
As of 7 a.m. CST Tuesday, Lake Charles had already received nearly two inches of snow and could see up to four inches by 12 noon CST.
Snow and ice are also accumulating quickly in Texas, including in Houston where officials identified more than 55 areas of ice on major roads.
The storm is expected to move east across the Gulf Coast region as the day progresses, bringing snow, ice and gusty winds to southern Mississippi, southern Alabama, Georgia and the coastal Carolinas.
A ‘historic’ blizzard has begun spreading snow and ice across a 1,000-mile stretch of the US from central Texas to northern Florida (pictured)
The storm did dump significant amounts of snow in parts of Texas and Louisiana, including Bourbon Street in New Orleans, pictured here on January 21, 2025.
Winter storm warnings have been issued across a wide area extending from the southern parts of the Gulf Coast states to Florida and the southeastern areas of the Carolinas.
This type of warning is issued when at least six inches of heavy snow is expected to fall in 12 hours, or at least eight inches in 24 hours, according to the National Weather Service.
The agency placed winter weather advisories across a narrower band from southeast and south-central Texas to the southeastern corner of Virginia.
This indicates more moderate impacts, such as an average of three to five inches of snowfall over a 12-hour period, and a wintry mix of rain and/or snowfall, according to the NWS.
Major cities placed on alert include Houston, New Orleans, Tallahassee, parts of the Atlanta metro area and Charleston, South Carolina.
New Orleans is bracing for what could be its highest snowfall total since 1963, when 2.7 inches fell over the city. The current forecast for this area is five to eight inches.
If more than eight inches accumulated in The Big Easy, it would break the city’s all-time snowfall record set in 1895.
City officials plan to close major highways, including Interstates 10, 310 and 510, as road conditions deteriorate. The ramps to US 90 and elevated bridges will also be closed.
Various weather alerts have been issued for Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, the Carolinas and Virginia.
By the time the storm ends Wednesday, snowfall totals could range from less than an inch to eight inches
Houston closed roads, schools and airports as one to two inches of snow accumulated early Tuesday morning.
Current road closures include all lanes of I-69 between FM-2218 to the Harris-Ft Bend county line, and I-45 Gulf in both directions between Dixie Farm Road and I-610 South Loop.
The Houston Independent School District announced that all school will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday because the roads have already become treacherous.
Both of the city’s largest airports — George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) — have suspended operations, canceling more than 1,300 flights.
In Louisiana, Lafayette Regional Airport also canceled all flights Tuesday due to ice and snow on the runways.
The storm is expected to create dangerous travel conditions across the affected area. Ice covers a car in Galveston, Texas on January 21, 2025
An SUV drives along a snow-covered road in Galveston, Texas, in the early morning hours of January 21, 2025.
Affected areas in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina can expect 1 to 5 inches of snow today, with locally higher amounts of up to 8 inches in isolated areas near the coast.
Cities throughout this region expecting snow during this period include Montgomery, Alabama and Savannah, Georgia.
By Tuesday night, wintry weather will retreat from the Mississippi River westward, but parts of Georgia, northern Florida and the Carolinas will continue to see snow overnight into early Wednesday.
An area from northeastern Florida to southeastern Georgia could see enough ice accumulation to topple tree limbs and cause scattered power outages.
The impact of Winter Storm Enzo is feeding into the polar vortex currently sweeping across the eastern half of the United States.
The extreme cold hit Monday and is expected to last through Wednesday, forcing 235 million Americans to brace for “life-threatening” temperatures that could reach as low as -50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Arctic air will extend deep into the south and southeast. States within Enzo’s path could see temperatures ranging from 10°F to 30°F, enhancing the chances of accumulating snowfall across the region.
But the cold will also affect the Midwest, Great Lakes and New England.
Meteorologists have warned that the freezing temperatures will increase stress on heating systems and power grids, force schools to close and pose a significant risk of frostbite, hypothermia and effects on the immune system.
Houston closed roads, schools and airports as one to two inches of snow accumulated early Tuesday morning. January 20, 2025
Meanwhile, another blast of Arctic air is heading toward the eastern United States. Meteorologists have warned 235 million Americans from the Gulf Coast to New England, the Great Lakes and the Midwest to prepare for “life-threatening” cold weather.
Most of this extreme cold will be fueled by gusty winds that could send temperatures feeling like they’re plummeting below zero.
“In areas experiencing stormy conditions, like much of the Midwest early this week, AccuWeather RealFeel temperatures could reach 40 to 50 below zero,” said Chief Meteorologist Adam Doty.
“It will feel very cold, and anyone venturing outside could get frostbite on exposed skin within a few minutes,” he added.
The risk of cold-related illnesses such as frostbite, hypothermia, and lung or immune system effects will be high in areas affected by these extreme wind chills.
Experts recommend staying inside as much as possible when it’s cold outside. But if you have to spend long periods outside, you should take extra measures to protect yourself from life-threatening temperatures.
This includes making sure your skin is fully covered, wearing multiple layers of clothing and taking breaks indoors to warm up whenever you can.