A frigid Arctic air mass is extending across the eastern, central, and parts of the western United States on Monday, pushing temperatures 20 to 30 degrees below the already frigid January averages, while a winter storm is set to impact areas in the South.

Freeze warnings have been issued across much of the Gulf Coast and northern Florida. According to Bryan Putnam, a meteorologist at the National Weather Prediction Center, the combination of cold air and a low-pressure system developing in the area will create conditions for a “rare and significant winter storm.”

The storm is expected to start late Monday in eastern and southern Texas, moving eastward along the Gulf Coast and into the Southeast on Tuesday and Wednesday, Putnam stated. Heavy snow is forecasted north of the Interstate 10 corridor, with sleet and freezing rain affecting parts of southern Texas, southeastern Georgia, and northern Florida.

Southern Cities Prepare for Uncommon Wintry Conditions

Major southern cities at risk of wintry weather include Austin, San Antonio, and Houston in Texas; New Orleans and Baton Rouge in Louisiana; Jackson and Biloxi in Mississippi; Mobile in Alabama; Savannah in Georgia; and Pensacola, Tallahassee, and Jacksonville in Florida, according to AccuWeather.

New Orleans has not experienced measurable snowfall since 2009, while Jacksonville hasn’t seen any in 35 years.

“This is going to be an unusual and particularly dangerous winter storm impacting the upper Gulf Coast, leading to significant and prolonged travel disruptions,” said Jonathan Porter, Chief Meteorologist at AccuWeather.

Weather Expected to Hinder Travel, Forced Inauguration Changes

Travel is likely to be significantly disrupted, leading to flight delays and cancellations, Putnam warned. He also mentioned there could be power outages in areas experiencing heavy snow and ice.

Temperatures in New England and the Mid-Atlantic states will remain in the teens and 20s. Due to these conditions, officials in Washington, D.C., have decided to hold the presidential inauguration indoors for the first time in four decades.

Houston Airports Set to Close Before Storm Arrives

Houston is expected to see up to four inches of snow from Monday night into Tuesday. The National Weather Service in Houston cautioned travelers through social media about hazardous road conditions expected through Wednesday morning: “DO NOT TRAVEL UNLESS NECESSARY! If you must drive, PLEASE PROCEED WITH CAUTION! Be particularly careful on bridges and overpasses. Even vehicles with four-wheel drive can lose traction.”

The two primary airports in Houston, George Bush Intercontinental and William P. Hobby, plan to shut down at midnight, citing anticipated dangerous road conditions.

“Although there will be no flights departing or arriving, our dedicated teams will remain on-site around the clock, working hard to ensure a quick and safe return to normal operations when the weather allows,” stated the airport authority.

− Zach Wichter

‘Life-Threatening’ Temperatures May Plunge to 55 Degrees Below Zero

In the coming days, temperatures are expected to remain at or below negative teens and single digits in the Upper Midwest and in the single digits and teens in the Rockies, central Plains, and Midwest.

According to Putnam, “Wind chills that could reach between 30 to 55 degrees below zero at times are expected in the Rockies, northern Plains, and Upper Midwest until Tuesday morning.”

The intense cold is likely to persist across the eastern and southern regions of the U.S. in the coming days, although some areas in the nation’s interior may start warming up as soon as Tuesday, with temperatures in the 20s, 30s, and 40s.

Snow Expected in Mississippi

Governor Tate Reeves of Mississippi has declared a State of Emergency ahead of the storms anticipated on Tuesday. This week, temperatures are expected to remain below freezing, as stated in the latest forecast. Central Mississippi, particularly the Jackson area, is expected to receive up to 2 inches of snow.

Hattiesburg and much of southern Mississippi, including Natchez, are under a ‘significant threat’ for snow, with forecasters predicting 2 to 4 inches.

− Mississippi Clarion Ledger

Florida’s Capital is Prepared for Icy Conditions

South-central Georgia and the Big Bend region of Florida might receive ice accretion between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. Tallahassee may see a light dusting of snow and a quarter-inch of ice, which could create impassable roads and result in power outages due to the incoming winter storm.

“The likelihood of a significant winter weather event occurring late Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday morning is increasing,” reported the National Weather Service in Tallahassee. Freezing rain, sleet, snow, and rain are expected from Tuesday night into Wednesday. In response, public schools in Leon County, where Tallahassee is located, have already decided to close on Wednesday. Florida A&M University will also be closed, with additional closures and delays anticipated.

− William L. Hatfield and Jeff Burlew, Tallahassee Democrat