Blizzard blasts Gulf Coast paralyzing communities from Texas to Florida to Carolinas with record-breaking snow
Houston, New Orleans and Pensacola, Florida, all saw major impacts as the historic winter storm swept across the Gulf Coast on Tuesday.
Historic blizzard blankets Gulf Coast with once-in-a-generation snow
A powerful and rare winter storm swept across the South on Tuesday, bringing the first-ever Blizzard Warning to the Gulf Coast and blasting communities from Texas to Florida to the Carolinas with record-shattering snow that snarled travel and brought daily life to a halt.
Fast Facts:
- Worst winter storm in more than 120 years blasts Gulf Coast states, including first-ever Blizzard Warning in Louisiana.
- New Orleans sees 8 inches of snow, making this the worst storm since 1895.
- Florida breaks state record for largest snowstorm ever.
- Life-threatening cold to keep snowpack in place through at least the end of the week.
HOUSTON – A powerful and rare winter storm swept across the South on Tuesday, bringing the first-ever Blizzard Warning to the Gulf Coast and blasting communities from Texas to Florida to the Carolinas with record-shattering snow that snarled travel and brought daily life to a halt.
"Honestly, it’s been a jaw-dropping 24 hours," FOX Weather Meteorologist Britta Merwin said. "I mean, to see some of the images that we have shown you on FOX Weather is something that you only see once in a generation. This truly will be a storm that decades from now we’ll have a new generation of kids being like, ‘Where were you in 2025 during that time?’"
Houston hammered by historic snow
Drone video spots dozens of sledders having fun in the Houston snow
Sledders flock to Hermann Park in Houston after 2-4 inches fell during a historic winter storm Tuesday. (Video courtesy: @cjblain10 /TMX)
The historic winter storm first impacted Texas, where "several fatalities" were reported during a crash east of the community of La Pryor early Tuesday morning, according to Uvalde County Constable Emmanuel Zamora.
The storm continued on its journey to the east, bringing snow and sleet around Austin and San Antonio before interacting with moisture over the Gulf of Mexico.
The storm then began to strengthen over southeastern Texas, dumping snow across the Houston metro as temperatures dropped, and wind chills made it feel even colder.
Watch: Snow blankets Galveston beach during snowstorm
Video from Galveston.com webcam shows a once-in-two-decades occurence, snow on the beach! The last time significant snow hit Galveston was in 2004.
Roads and highways, including the busy Interstate 10 corridor, were covered in snow and ice, which led to numerous reports of crashes and closed sections of the highway for hours.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) in Houston were shut down Tuesday, with officials saying operations resumed on Wednesday.
Houston airports back to normal operations following historic winter storm
A powerful and rare winter storm that slammed the Houston area with snow on Tuesday forced the closure of both William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) and George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), but thanks to the hard work by crews the airports were able to resume normal operations on Wednesday. Houston Airport System Director Jim Szczesniak joined FOX Weather with the latest.
According to the National Weather Service, HOU picked up 3 inches of snow Tuesday, making it the most snow in one day since Jan. 30, 1949, when 3.1 inches fell. This is now the third-snowiest day on record at the airport.
Classes were canceled at schools and universities across the region, and hospitals canceled outpatient appointments. Port Houston was also expected to remain closed Wednesday.
DOWNLOAD THE FREE FOX WEATHER APP
Big Easy sees big snow
Watch: Palm trees sway amid near-blizzard conditions in New Orleans
Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans is currently experiencing an extraordinary and surreal scene. Palm trees are dramatically swaying in the wind amidst falling snow. Near-blizzard conditions have been reported at New Orleans Lakefront Airport for the past few hours, with wind gusts exceeding 45 mph. A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect through Tuesday evening.
The combination of heavy snow and high wind gusts then brought blizzard and near-blizzard conditions to the Gulf Coast, triggering the first-ever Blizzard Warning for the coasts of Louisiana and southeastern Texas.
The record-breaking storm brought heavy snow to New Orleans, blanketing palm trees in fresh flakes and halting the normally busy Big Easy.
SEE IT: GULF COAST BEACHES COVERED WITH SNOW DURING HISTORIC WINTER STORM
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 21: Snow falls on a historical information sign about New Orleans across the street from St. Louis Cathedral on January 21, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. A winter storm brought rare snowfall to the Southern states including Florida, Texas and New Orleans, shutting down schools and businesses and drawing out locals, many of whom had never seen snow before. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
New Orleans shattered its one-day snow total record by noon when Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) recorded 8 inches of snow. The new record breaks the Dec. 31, 1963, record of 2.7 inches.
Officials at MSY said they were continuing to monitor winter weather conditions, and airlines canceled all departing flights on Wednesday.
"Airlines will continue to evaluate if additional cancellations will occur on Thursday, Jan. 23 based on conditions in the local area as well as on the airfield," officials said.
The National Basketball Association announced that Wednesday night's game between the Milwaukee Bucks and New Orleans Pelicans has been postponed.
"The decision was made in consultation with local officials to prioritize the safety of the players, fans and staff due to the hazardous weather conditions in the New Orleans area," the NBA said in a statement. "The date for the rescheduled game will be announced at a later time."
Flakes fly across Florida Panhandle
Beachgoers in Florida were met with a not-so-pleasant surprise as strong snow and winds slammed the area
Record-breaking snow totals throughout Florida amid an historic winter storm.
Florida also saw major impacts from the winter storm.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency ahead of the winter weather, and rare Winter Storm Warnings were issued from Pensacola to Jacksonville
Travel was reported to be treacherous due to the snow and ice. A nearly 70-mile stretch of Interstate 10 was closed from the Alabama-Florida state line to east of Crestview, Florida. Officials said they had pre-treated roads, but the hazardous weather led to a series of crashes.
DRIVING ON THE ICE AND DRIVING IN THE SNOW: WEATHER DRIVING TIPS FOR DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER
This image shows a "Welcome to the Free State of Florida" sign as snow falls during a historic winter storm on Monday, Jan. 21, 2025. (@MyFDOT/X / FOX Weather)
Mobile, Alabama, saw its snowiest day on record Tuesday when at least 7.5 inches of snow fell.
Pensacola, too, was a winter wonderland and picked up 7.6 inches of snow. That shattered its all-time snowiest day on record, which was set on March 6, 1954, when 2.3 inches fell. In nearby Milton, about 8.8 inches of snow was reported.
According to National Weather Service meteorologists in Tallahassee, it will take several days to verify all the snowfall reports and determine if any city beat out the Pensacola metro for the largest snow measurement ever in the Sunshine State.
SEE THE HISTORIC TOTALS FROM THE HISTORIC JANUARY SNOWSTORM OF 2025
A car drives along a road during a winter storm on January 21, 2025 in Tallahassee, Florida. The National Weather Service has placed North Florida under a winter storm warning with some predicting the Gulf's biggest snow and ice storm in more than 100 years. (Photo by Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/Getty Images)
Tallahassee International Airport (TLH) was open as the storm began, but it announced later in the afternoon that commercial airline flights servicing the airport were canceled after 3 p.m. Officials said they were hopeful that the airport would reopen about noon on Wednesday.
Similar cancellations were planned at the Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), where the last departing flight was expected to leave around 8 p.m. Tuesday, with operations returning to normal by noon Wednesday.
Georgia sees numerous crashes due to icy conditions
Watch: Atlanta blanketed in snow after historic winter storm
The FOX Flight Team captured Newnan, Georgia, south of Atlanta, blanketed in snow on Wednesday morning, following a historic winter storm that crippled the region. The Deep South experienced its heaviest snowfall in years.
Impacts from the record-breaking winter storm were also seen across the Southeast into the Atlanta metro in Georgia.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) said the resumption of airport operations on Wednesday was ongoing. The airport is working with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to ensure security lanes are staffed and operating. The airfield and roadways are clear. However, cancellations and delays from across the Southeast were expected to impact passenger volume on Wednesday. Officials said passengers should arrive at the airport at least three hours before departure unless otherwise directed by their airlines.
This image shows a car off the side of the road in Atlanta after a winter storm on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (FOX 5 Atlanta)
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said on X that he was thankful to Georgia Department of Transportation crews for their tireless work to keep roads safe and clear, but said crashes and icy roads remain.
"It is important to remain weather aware and stay off the roads when possible," Kemp said.
Georgia DOT said snow removal crews have been working throughout the night to clear snow from roadways across east-central Georgia. Their top priority – clearing the interstates.
Watch: Cars stranded, off the road due to icy, snowy conditions in Atlanta
A video shared by FOX 5 in Atlanta shows numerous stranded vehicles on the side of the road after icy and snowy conditions on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025.
"I-16, I-20 and I-520 remain passable throughout the district, however, drivers should still use extreme caution if they must travel," officials said in a statement. "Crews have noticed some treacherous areas, especially on I-520 in Augusta."
Crews were still plowing and salting bridges and interstates Wednesday morning. However, officials said most state routes have yet to be plowed and will not be plowed until higher priority routes are clear.
"We continue to strongly discourage travel throughout the morning as temperatures are not expected to get above freezing until the afternoon," officials said.
Officials in DeKalb County declared a state of emergency effective immediately in response to the unprecedented winter weather that impacted the region.
CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and other county officials have urged residents to stay off the roads and shelter in place due to the dangerously low temperatures that have led to icy conditions across the county.
County officials said emergency officials have responded to hundreds of 911 calls, including one reporting a structure fire and a rescue involving a pregnant woman en route to the hospital.
There have also been reports of more than 100 vehicles becoming stranded on roads, many of them obstructing emergency response efforts.
"This is a serious situation," Cochran-Johnson said. "We are asking for everyone’s patience and cooperation as our teams work around the clock to ensure public safety. Staying off the roads is critical – not only for your safety but to allow emergency responders to reach those in need."