Up to 235 million people across regions stretching from the Gulf Coast to New England, the Great Lakes, and the Midwest are bracing for a rare winter storm bringing heavy snow and ice blasts. U.S. meteorologists warned on Monday of potential major power outages and travel disruptions.
For parts of the western and northern Gulf Coast, this could be the most significant snow and ice storm in over a century, potentially one that will be remembered for decades, according to AccuWeather, a website providing weather forecasts and real-time updates.
“This will be a rare and especially dangerous winter storm right along the upper Gulf Coast that will result in major and lengthy disruptions to travel,” said AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter. “The electrical grid in the central and eastern U.S. may be stressed as hundreds of millions reach to turn up the heat.”
Flights at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, William P. Hobby Airport, and Ellington Airport, all in the Houston area of Texas, will be suspended starting from midnight on Monday due to the extreme weather conditions, according to Houston Airports. The airports may tentatively reopen on Wednesday if weather permits.
“I’ve been convinced that we are about to experience a very serious and dangerous weather episode,” said Houston Mayor John Whitmire, as the worst of the weather moves in Monday evening, likely to bring three to eight inches of snow to the fourth-largest U.S. city.
Across Texas, dozens of school districts have decided to close their campuses on Tuesday. Multiple major southern U.S. cities including Austin, Texas; New Orleans, Louisiana; Biloxi, Mississippi; Mobile, Alabama; Savannah, Georgia; and Jacksonville, Florida, are expected to be adversely affected by the storm.
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Up to 235 million Americans under risk of rare snow, ice storm
cgtn.com
