Winter Storm Enzo is threatening to deliver an unprecedented round of snow, ice and strong winds to some parts of the South, with more than 40 million people under winter weather alerts this morning.
You can find the latest updates below; to see what we expect to happen next with this storm, head to our Enzo forecast page.
(8:35 a.m. ET) New Orleans May See Highest Snow Total Since 1950
If accumulation exceeds 2.7 inches in New Orleans, it will be the most snow the city has seen since December 1963.
The city’s biggest snowstorm on record was in February 1895, with 8 inches of snowfall.
Winter Storm Enzo could be one of Lake Charles, Louisiana’s top five biggest snowstorms if 3 or more inches fall there. The city saw its all-time record of 22 inches in February 1895.
(8:33 a.m. ET) Louisiana Airport Shuts Down
The Lafayette Regional Airport has canceled all flights on Tuesday due to ice and snow on the runways. In a post to X, the airport encouraged fliers to check with individual airlines for the latest flight information. Lafayette is under an unusual blizzard warning until noon local time and could get as much as 4 inches of snow.
(8:23 a.m. ET) Several Road Closures In Houston Area
Snow and ice are affecting Houston roads Tuesday morning, with more than 55 areas of ice on major roadways, according to Houston Transtar.
Road closures include all lanes of I-69 between FM-2218 to Harris-Ft Bend County Line, I-45 Gulf in both directions between Dixie Farm Road and I-610 South Loop.
(8:12 a.m. ET) Winter Storm Enzo Maps Tracker
We’ve launched our maps tracker so you can follow the path of Winter Storm Enzo’s snow and ice, winter weather alerts and more as it moves across the Gulf Coast and the South. All of the maps will be updating constantly throughout the day.
(7:54 a.m. ET) More Than An Inch Of Snow So Far In Lake Charles, Louisiana
So far, Winter Storm Enzo has dropped nearly 2 inches of snow on Lake Charles, Louisiana. One resident shared video to X of the snow blanketing her backyard and her generator before dawn. All of Louisiana’s southern parishes declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm’s arrival.
(7:10 a.m. ET) This Is Why Houston’s Schools And Airports Are Closed
Roads in the Houston area were quickly becoming treacherous as the snow rates picked up this morning, and a video posted to X by Storm Chaser Houston showed why all residents were urged to stay home.
Prior to the storm’s arrival, the Houston Independent School District announced that all schools would be closed today and tomorrow. Both of the city’s two biggest airports also suspended operations, leading to the cancellation of more than 1,300 flights into and out of Houston.
(6:45 a.m. ET) New Orleans Expected To Close Major Interstates
Hoping to get out and drive around in the snow in the Big Easy today? First of all, that’s a really bad idea. Secondly, interstates 10, 310 and 510 will be closed by the city as conditions worsen. Ramps to U.S. 90 and elevated bridges will also be closed.
And the other roads are expected to be very dangerous. NOLA.com has a complete list of road closures around New Orleans.
The city would see its highest snow total since December 1963 if it tops 2.3 inches during Enzo; we’re forecasting 3 to 5 inches.
(6 a.m. ET) Lake Charles Under First Blizzard Warning Ever
In a shocking turn of events that shows the rarity of such a winter storm, a blizzard warning has been issued this morning for parts of far southwestern Louisiana, including the city of Lake Charles, and a few Texas counties just across the border.
The National Weather Service’s office in Lake Charles issued the warning until noon local time today and announced that it was a first for the region. We’re expecting at least a few inches of snow to fall in the area, but strong winds will lead to blowing snow that will make travel extremely difficult.
Winter storms must meet specific criteria in order to be called a blizzard; find out about what it takes by reading this.
#Rare #Blizzard #Warning #Issued #Parts #Texas #Louisiana
Leave a Reply