Weather forecasters and government agencies issued health and power loss warnings on Tuesday as a “rare winter storm” gripped parts of the southern and eastern United States.
“A bitterly cold air mass will persist across much of the southern and eastern U.S. over the next several days,” the National Weather Service said in a weather forecast early Tuesday, as it advised the public of the prospect of heavy snow, freezing cold rain and a “significant winter storm.”
Several states have declared states of emergency, with temperatures in most locations expected to be 20 to 30 degrees below the January average, forecasters said. The mercury is expected to drop into the single digits in part of the Midwest.
“Many record lows are possible Wednesday morning, especially along the Gulf Coast and in the Tennessee Valley,” the weather service said.
The potentially historic storm has prompted officials to issue rare warnings that are more common among people living in the north. People have been urged to avoid travel, ensure their cars are winterized and prevent pipes from freezing.
Officials also warned of “extended power outages” and ice buildups that could topple trees and power lines. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas has issued a transmission emergency advisory in south and southeast Texas.
Around the Gulf Coast, where harsh winter conditions are rare, a combination of Arctic air and a low-pressure system could result in “historic snowfall,” the weather service said.
Snowfall of up to 6 inches is expected in Houston and New Orleans, with a mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow expected further east into Georgia, the Carolinas and northern Florida. Parts of Alabama and southwestern Georgia could see up to 4 inches of snow.
“Cover exposed skin to reduce the risk of frostbite or hypothermia,” the weather service said, adding that storms could lead to flight cancellations, with “major disruptions to highway and air traffic, including possible road closures” that could last for several days to last.
Sleet and snow showers have already developed across Houston, the weather service said in a message on X. Temperatures were as low as 25 degrees north of the Houston metro area on Tuesday.
Both of Houston’s major airports, George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Hobby Airport, suspended flight operations at midnight. More than 1,800 fights were canceled in the US as of early Tuesday, with nearly 400 delays, according to flight tracking platform FlightAware.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, who declared a state of emergency in his state on Saturday, warned people not to venture outside their homes.
“It is extremely important to stay off the road,” he said at a news conference on Monday. “Unless you absolutely have to be on the road, stay home and stay warm.”
The state has collected 400,000 pounds of salt that it can help spread on highways to clear snow and ice if needed, the Louisiana Transportation Department said, while officials are also mapping out a plan for possible road closures.
The governors of Georgia, Florida, Mississippi and Alabama have also declared states of emergency.
Cold weather warnings have also blanketed the Midwest, with the weather service issuing an “extreme cold weather warning” that could see temperatures drop as low as 30 degrees below zero in parts of Nebraska, Colorado and Kansas.
Similar weather conditions are also expected in parts of the Northeast, including New York, where temperatures could reach 25 degrees.
The wind chill will also make temperatures feel like minus 55 degrees in some parts of the Rockies, Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, and possible cold records could be set in Missouri, Texas, Louisiana and Alabama.
“Dangerously cold wind chills as low as 25 below zero can cause frostbite to exposed skin within 30 minutes,” the agency warned.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com