Overview

• A rare winter storm is impacting the Gulf Coast, with snowfall in cities like Houston, New Orleans, and Pensacola, areas unaccustomed to such weather.
• Blizzard warnings have been issued for southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana for the first time, with snow accumulations of up to six inches expected in some areas.
• States across the South, including Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, have declared emergencies, and schools in multiple regions have closed to ensure safety.
• The Arctic air mass gripping the U.S. has plunged temperatures 20-30°F below normal, with wind chills as low as -55°F in the Northern Plains and Midwest, posing risks of frostbite and hypothermia.
• In California, Santa Ana winds threaten to worsen wildfire conditions, with gusts up to 80 mph expected, raising concerns about power outages and air quality.