Monster Winter Storm Making a Run at the Gulf Coast

The U.S. Gulf Coast is gearing up to be hit by a major winter storm that could cripple life throughout a part of the nation not used to seeing this degree of wintry precipitation. Here is a look at this developing forecast.

Major Winter Storm Takes Aim at Gulf Coast

A variety of winter impacts is going to slam the southern U.S. in the days ahead. Residents should prepare for snow, ice, and unseasonably cold temperatures. A number of major metropolitan areas are under the gun for this weather maker, including Houston, New Orleans, and Jacksonville.

The storm system is going to stretch for about 1,000 miles along the busy Interstate 10 corridor from Texas and into Florida. It is likely that travel will be severely impacted because this region does not have the capabilities to handle large-scale winter events.

The atypical weather pattern is coming at the hands of a dry and frigid mass of Arctic air that is tracking deep into the southern U.S. This track is keeping the moisture near the Gulf Coast in place. The moisture is clashing with the bitterly cold temperatures to support the development of significant snow.

The upper Gulf Coast is forecast to see the worst of the impacts. For instance, New Orleans is currently under a winter storm warning with a forecast of 5 to 8 inches of snow on Tuesday. It will be an unseasonably cold day in the Crescent City with temperatures holding steady in the low 30s during the day and falling to about 23 degrees after the sun goes down. Winds whipping around from the north-northeast at 15 to 25 mph will make it feel even more miserable outside.

You have to go back to December of 2009 to find the last time that New Orleans saw the flakes fly. Going back to 1948, the metro area has only seen snow eight times, speaking to the rarity of this forecast.

Heading farther to the east along Interstate 10, Mobile, Alabama is preparing for snowfall accumulations of 1 to 3 inches of snow. The mercury will top out at about the freezing mark while winds hit 10 to 20 mph from the north. Overnight lows will tumble into the mid-teens along this part of the Gulf Coast.

Houston is also in the bullseye for this winter storm. After seeing snow in the overnight hours Monday, the city will see additional accumulations of about an inch before the system moves to the east. The last time that Houston saw snow was in February of 2021. Houston is anticipating a high of 38 degrees on Tuesday pairing with winds out of the west at 15 to 25 mph. Temperatures will approach record low levels overnight with a forecast reading of 23 degrees in Houston.

Widespread snowfall amounts of 1 to 6 inches are in the forecast for a large zone from the upper Texas coast to the coastline of the Carolinas. The area just north of Interstate 10 is forecast to see the greatest amount of accumulation, with isolated pockets of over a foot a possibility.

It goes without saying that travel may become impossible in the wake of the storm. Motorists planning on using Interstate 10 will want to monitor the situation and make alternate plans. Local officials are warning that the major interstate may be closed for a significant time during the height of the storm.

Forecast for the Interior Portions of the South

The interior portions of the Southeast will be on the northern flank of the storm, meaning that some areas will miss out entirely on the precipitation. For example, Atlanta is anticipating just a few snow flurries out of the system. However, forecasters are warning that a slight jog to the north could send more snow into the area from central Mississippi and across to Alabama and Georgia. A northerly jog could also translate to snow for the South Carolina Midlands and the southeastern corner of North Carolina.

Should the system grow in size or strengthen beyond the initial forecast, measurable snow could reach Atlanta and Charlotte. With this degree of uncertainty, all parts of the Gulf Coast and the Southeast should monitor the situation through Wednesday.

Warmer temperatures across Florida will mean that the Sunshine State is likely to escape with just rain. However, falling temperatures late Tuesday and into early Wednesday could mean that the rain briefly changes to snow at this time. There is also the risk of any rain that does fall freezing over on elevated surfaces in the overnight hours.

Ice is a likelihood in the areas west of Jacksonville and up into southern Georgia. The precise temperatures at the time that the moisture falls will determine if it lands as sleet, snow, or freezing rain. Freezing rain and wet snow pose the biggest dangers, potentially weighing down trees and power lines.

A winter storm warning has been issued for areas along the coast of the Southeast, including Charleston, South Carolina. This resort city is predicted to see a mix of wintry precipitation develop during the evening hours on Tuesday. The moisture will switch over to ice and snow as the mercury falls from an afternoon high of 40 degrees into the mid 20s. Snow and ice accumulations of 3 to 5 inches are on tap along with winds out of the north at 10 to 20 mph.

The threat of wintry precipitation will hang on through Wednesday morning in Charleston before the sun finally makes an appearance. Despite the clearing conditions, the temperatures will still max out in the mid 30s on Wednesday.

Moving farther north, it will be mostly snow falling in Wilmington, North Carolina. Residents can expect 3 to 6 inches of the white stuff out of this winter weather maker. A high of about 38 degrees and lows that dip to 22 degrees are in the forecast for Wilmington.

Jacksonville is predicted to remain just warm enough to see plain rain. This city in the northeastern corner of Florida is bracing for the rain to pick late Tuesday. The overnight forecast is calling for heavy rain of 1 to 2 inches. Tuesday's high will reach about 47 degrees before falling to the freezing mark overnight. Winds coming from the north at 10 to 20 will add to the chill in the air.

Impacts of Arctic Air

The arrival of the mass of cold air will mean that any snow and ice that does fall will remain on the ground for a long period of time. Even when the mercury rebounds during the daytime hours, temperatures will fall below 32 degrees again across the region. These falling temperatures will raise the risk of patches of ice reforming once the melting process begins.

In addition, the region's energy grid may become overworked as millions of Americans reach to crank up the thermostat. Frozen pipes are another concern residents will be facing as the cold air roars in behind the wintry precipitation.

Looking at the rest of the southern U.S., cities such as Dallas, Shreveport, and Memphis will dodge the wintry impacts associated with this storm. However, the cold air will still present issues in the form of increased energy demands and frozen pipes.

For example, Jackson, Mississippi is forecast to be under the gun for unseasonably cold temperatures with a high of just 32 degrees. Cloudy skies and winds out of the north coming in at 10 to 15 mph will amplify the chill. The capital city is bracing for overnight lows that slip into the mid teens heading into Wednesday.

While the wintry precipitation will clear out by the middle of the week, the cold air will have some staying power. Check back soon for more details about what to expect heading into the last weekend of January.

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