A winter storm sweeping through the U.S. South on Tuesday was dumping snow at levels millions of residents haven't seen before. Moisture from the Gulf of Mexico combined with a low-pressure system and chilly air to drop significant amounts of snow in various areas.
By Tuesday afternoon, 10.5 inches of snow was reported near Lafayette, Louisiana, nearing the state record of 13 inches set in 1960. In areas between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, 7 to 8 inches of snow were reported, surpassing previous records. Even Texas, particularly the Houston-Galveston area, saw 2 to 4 inches of snow before midday.
The National Weather Service issued its first-ever blizzard warning in Lake Charles, Louisiana, while a rare snowball fight was captured in Orange Beach, Alabama, near the Gulf of Mexico.
Meteorologists noted the unusual nature of the storm, highlighting that the U.S. Gulf Coast is more accustomed to hurricanes than snowfall. The event was described as a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many residents.
Florida also saw record snowfall, with Pensacola receiving 5 inches, breaking the previous state record set in 1954. Mobile's airport in Alabama recorded 6.2 inches, surpassing a record dating back to 1881.
The storm was part of a broader cold snap affecting the continental U.S. due to a polar vortex disruption. Scientists linked these events to human-caused climate change, emphasizing the impact of rising Arctic temperatures on weather patterns.
As the storm brought joy to some, it also raised concerns about the changing climate and its implications for extreme weather events. The unusual snowfall in the South served as a reminder of the complex relationship between weather patterns and global environmental changes.
