A powerful and historic winter storm is bringing heavy snow to the South, including Houston where snow is covering roads and officials have been urging residents to stay home for safety.
HOUSTON – Blizzard conditions have been reported across portions of southeastern Texas and southwestern Louisiana as a powerful winter storm sweeps across the South.
According to the National Weather Service office in Lake Charles, Louisiana, the rare and historic winter storm moving across the northern Gulf of Mexico is producing heavy snow and wind gusts higher than 35 mph, dropping visibility and leading to dangerous travel conditions.
This graphic shows active winter weather alerts, including a Blizzard Warning, on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.
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The NWS said that the bands of snow will continue to move in and out of the Blizzard Warning area through Tuesday morning, creating hazardous conditions for anyone exposed outdoors for an extended period of time.
(FOX Weather)
Airports in the Houston area have been closed, classes have been canceled at schools and universities, and public transportation has been shut down as winter weather continues to impact the region.
Officials have been urging residents to prepare for the incoming storm over the past several days and said that first responders, utility crews and others were ready to respond to emergencies should they arise.
“We’re doing everything we can to prepare for this winter storm,” Houston Mayor John Whitmire said. “We will be here to keep you safe and respond to emergencies, but we need your help.”
A video shared from Houston shows snow covering the highway as a winter storm slams the region on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.
Whitmire urged people to limit time outdoors and stay home if possible.
“We don’t want you to risk your life or jeopardize the safety of our police officers and firefighters if they have to rescue you when you could have stayed home,” he said. “Our first responders must remain focused on critical incidents as conditions worsen.”
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