Dangerous 'rare winter storm' hits Gulf Coast as it braces for historic ...

Weather forecasters and public agencies issued health and power loss warnings Tuesday as a “rare winter storm" gripped parts of the southern and eastern United States.

"A bitterly cold airmass will remain in place for much of the South and eastern U.S. over the next couple of days," the National Weather Service said early Tuesday in a forecast as it advised the public about the prospect of heavy snow, freezing rain and a “significant winter storm.”

Several states have declared emergencies, with temperatures expected to be 20 to 30 degrees below the January average for most locations, forecasters said. The mercury is set to dip to single-digits in some part of the Midwest.

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"Many record lows are possible Wednesday morning, especially along the Gulf Coast and into the Tennessee Valley," the weather service said.

The potentially historic storm has prompted officials to issue rare warnings that are more common to those living in the North. People have been urged to avoid travel, make sure their cars are winterized and prevent pipes from freezing.

Officials also warned of "long-lasting power outages" and ice accumulation that could down trees and power lines. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas issued a transmission emergency advisory in south and southeast Texas.

Around the Gulf Coast, where harsh winter conditions are rare, a combination of Arctic air and a low pressure system could result in a "historic snowfall," the weather service said.

Snowfall of up to 6 inches is expected in Houston and New Orleans, with a combination of freezing rain, sleet and snow expected further east into Georgia, the Carolinas and northern Florida. Parts of Alabama and southwest Georgia could see up to 4 inches of snow.

"Cover exposed skin to reduce your risk of frostbite or hypothermia," the weather service said, adding that storms may lead to flight cancellations, with "major highway and air traffic disruptions, including possible road closures" that could last several days.

Sleet and snow showers have already developed across Houston, the weather service said in a post on X. Temperatures were as low as 25 degrees north of the Houston metro area Tuesday.

Both of Houston's major airports, the George Bush Intercontinental Airport and the Hobby Airport, suspended their flight operations at midnight. According to the flight-tracking platform FlightAware, more than 1,800 fights were canceled in the U.S., with almost 400 delays, as of early Tuesday.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, who declared an emergency in his state Saturday, warned people against venturing outdoors.