An epochal winter storm, a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon, is sweeping across the U.S. Gulf Coast, a region where snowflakes are a rarity. On Tuesday, the National Weather Service issued a snowstorm warning for an astonishing 31 million people, stretching from southern Texas eastward through Georgia, north to the Carolinas, and into Virginia. This alert remained in force until Wednesday morning.
Temperatures plummeted well below the freezing mark across the southern states. As the storm advanced eastward, snow-blanketed streets near downtown Houston stood eerily deserted. For those bold enough to venture out into the icy grip, the unfamiliar tableau of snow-covered surroundings presented a moment of wonder. "Look at this snow! It's breathtakingly soft and stickier than I anticipated, making it all the more enchanting," exclaimed one observer. "Having snow here is a delightful throwback to my childhood and college days, evoking a sense of nostalgia and joy."
By late Tuesday afternoon, the weather service reported that an astonishing 9.8 inches of snow had accumulated in New Orleans. Officials were scrambling to verify whether this unprecedented accumulation shattered the 8-inch record set in 1895.
The storm wreaked havoc on air travel, with Flightaware.com reporting the cancellation of over 1,000 flights departing from or destined for Houston. Late Monday, the storm continued its slow but relentless march through Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida. Much of the United States remained ensnared in a perilous deep freeze, with the winter wonderland both a marvel and a menace.
