Frigid storm drops rare snow in Florida Panhandle, Houston, and New Orleans
Winter is here
Florida residents from Pensacola to Jacksonville are bracing for what is expected to be a historic, once-in-a-lifetime winter storm with record-breaking, single-digit temperatures and an unprecedented six inches of snow in some areas.
AccuWeather predicted 2-4 inches of snowfall through Wednesday with as much as six inches in some localized parts of North Florida — which would break any known records for the region.
“If we set a record, people will remember 2025, when we hit 5 inches. It’s not going to be sustained 5-6 inches but it could hit that in certain areas,” said Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The winter weather hitting Florida is part of a system expected to drop snow at rates of 1 inch per hour or more from eastern Texas to the western Florida Panhandle and historic snowfall of 3 to 6 inches along the Interstate 10 corridor from Houston to Pensacola, according to the National Weather Service.
The rare frigid storm blanketed New Orleans and Houston with snow that closed highways, grounded nearly all flights and canceled school for more than a million students more used to hurricane dismissals than snow days.
Heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain are expected across Georgia, northern Florida, and the eastern Carolinas into Wednesday.
A winter weather advisory is in effect all the way to Ocala. The storm prompted the first ever blizzard warnings for several coastal counties near the Texas-Louisiana border.
Powdery South
A powdery South made for some head-turning scenes — a snowball fight on a Gulf Shores beach, sledding in a laundry basket in Montgomery, Alabama, pool-tubing down a Houston hill.
New Orleans in the spotlight
One of the country’s quirkiest cities, New Orleans, didn’t disappoint under the snowy spotlight. There was an attempt at urban skiing along Bourbon Street; a priest and nuns in a snowball fight outside a suburban church; snowboarding behind a golf cart; and sledding down the snow-covered Mississippi River levees on kayaks, cardboard boxes, and inflatable alligators.
High school teacher David Delio and his two daughters glided down the levee on a yoga mat and a boogie board.
“This is a white-out in New Orleans, this is a snow-a-cane,” Delio said. “We’ve had tons of hurricane days but never a snow day.”
Airport closures and flight disruptions
Nearly 2,000 flights to, from, or within the U.S. were canceled Tuesday, with about 10,000 others delayed, according to online tracker FlightAware.com. Both Houston airports suspended flight operations starting Tuesday.
Nearly every flight was canceled at New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport, though officials said the airport itself would remain open “as long as the conditions are safe.” Most airlines planned to resume operations Wednesday.
Consequences and preparations
Florida state offices in the affected counties closed at 1 p.m., with offices closing even earlier in Pensacola. All non-essential state workers were sent home. Offices in the areas hit hardest by the storm will remain closed Wednesday.
Florida State University and Florida A&M University in Tallahassee closed Tuesday and Wednesday. The University of Florida in Gainesville also closed Tuesday night into Wednesday.
Conclusion
The rare frigid storm brought unprecedented snowfall to parts of Florida, Houston, and New Orleans, causing widespread disruptions and cancellations. While the storm may have been a rare occurrence, it brought joy and excitement to those who experienced it.
FAQs
Q: How much snow fell in New Orleans?
A: More than 9 inches of snow fell in parts of the city, surpassing the record of 2.7 inches set in 1963.
Q: How many flights were canceled due to the storm?
A: Nearly 2,000 flights were canceled, with about 10,000 others delayed.
Q: What was the impact on airport operations?
A: Both Houston airports suspended flight operations, and New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport remained open but with limited operations.
Q: How did schools respond to the storm?
A: Many schools in the affected areas closed, including Florida State University, Florida A&M University, and the University of Florida.
Q: What was the temperature like in Florida during the storm?
A: Temperatures were in the single digits, with some areas reaching as low as 5°F (-15°C).
