Houston snowfall: First-ever blizzard warning issued amid Arctic blast

A powerful winter storm charging through Texas and the northern Gulf Coast has prompted widespread disruptions, with highways closed, airports suspended, and the first-ever blizzard warning issued for southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana.

The storm, which is expected to bring heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain, has plunged much of the eastern US into a deep freeze, affecting millions across the region.

By Tuesday, nearly 2,000 flights within the US and internationally had been canceled, and around 10,000 flights delayed, according to FlightAware.

In Houston, both major airports suspended operations in anticipation of hazardous conditions, while local authorities warned residents to stay off the roads.

Houston's low temperatures were forecast to dip to 18°F (-8°C), threatening to freeze exposed pipes and causing significant disruptions to daily life.

The storm's reach extended from Texas to North Carolina, with winter storm warnings covering a vast swath of the South. In New Orleans, temperatures in the 30s were rare, with locals like Lakesha Reed, manager of Beaucoup Eats catering, facing canceled travel plans due to the cold snap.

"We can barely drive in the rain," she said, noting that the previous year’s Mardi Gras was celebrated in shorts.

Record snowfall is expected across the region, with areas along the Interstate 10 corridor, including Houston, New Orleans, and Mobile, Alabama, forecast to receive up to 6 inches (15 cm) of snow.

The blizzard warning in Lake Charles, Louisiana, marked a historic moment, with winds and heavy snow reducing visibility in a region not accustomed to such conditions.

As temperatures plunged, governors in Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama declared states of emergency, and many school systems closed for the day.

Local authorities urged residents in Louisiana to stay indoors, with officials warning of dangerous ice accumulation on roads.

In preparation for power outages, warming centers were set up across communities to shelter the homeless.

As the storm continued eastward, dangerously cold wind chills were expected to persist, particularly in the Upper Midwest, where temperatures could feel as cold as -50°F (-46°C).

In Texas, the extreme cold prompted concern over frozen pipes, with many homeowners seeking help from plumbing services.

"There is a little bit of panic," said Jonathan LeBron, plumbing manager at Nick’s Plumbing in Houston, noting an uptick in calls from residents concerned about frozen pipes.

This unusual cold snap follows a polar vortex disruption, with the Arctic blast affecting the region well into the week.

Residents across the eastern US are bracing for more harsh weather, with temperatures only expected to gradually return to normal by the end of the week