Southern US Prepares for Uncommon Winter Storm While LA Faces Additional Fire Risks | US News
A significant portion of the southern United States is preparing for an unusual winter storm that is anticipated to bring frigid temperatures, substantial snowfall, and a mix of freezing rain and sleet, according to forecasters.
More than 55 million residents in the Gulf Coast area may be impacted, as reported by NBC News, Sky News’ U.S. partner.
Forecasts indicate that temperatures will drop well below January averages for many regions, as stated by the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS).
The NWS has cautioned about “numerous record lows expected on Wednesday morning, particularly along the Gulf Coast and into the Tennessee Valley.”
This weather prediction has led officials to issue uncommon alerts that are typically reserved for those in northern states.
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Between three to seven inches (7.5 cm to 15 cm) of snow is anticipated to accumulate across parts of southern Mississippi and southeastern Louisiana, including New Orleans, as Tuesday approaches, according to the NWS.
Heavy snow was already reported on sections of the U.S. East Coast as temperatures dropped significantly below normal on Monday.
Millions of individuals, particularly in the southern U.S. spanning from Texas to Florida, are facing various weather threats, remarked NWS meteorologist Marc Chenard.
Pic: NWS
Approximately 21 million people are under a winter storm warning, Mr. Chenard added, while around 170 million individuals in an area stretching from the Rockies eastward are facing either an extreme warning or a cold weather advisory.
A state of emergency has been declared, and numerous schools were closed on Tuesday in Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
Nearly 600 domestic and international flights had been cancelled by Monday evening, according to online tracker FlightAware, along with nearly 6,500 delays.
Passengers wait to check-in for their flights at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Monday. Pic: AP
Over 1,700 additional cancellations were recorded for Tuesday as well.
With icy conditions projected to continue until at least the middle of the week, air travel was suspended at both of Houston’s airports starting Tuesday.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has urged residents to refrain from driving “unless absolutely necessary.”
Meanwhile, on the West Coast, residents in the Los Angeles area are being cautioned to expect the return of Santa Ana winds this week, which could lead to further fires, as the city continues to recover from recent devastating blazes.
The highest red flag warning, indicating an especially dangerous situation due to the extreme risk of fire spread associated with dry conditions and low humidity, is in effect until 10 a.m. local time (6 p.m. UK time) for much of Ventura and Los Angeles counties.
Wind gusts of up to 100 mph (161 kph) are anticipated.
This is the fifth time the NWS has issued a particularly dangerous situation warning since November, which is rarely utilized.
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At least 27 fatalities have been recorded and more than 13,600 structures have been destroyed in fires that started earlier this month, with many still not fully extinguished.
