NEW ORLEANS ( WGNO ) — The Gulf Coast region is bracing for a rare winter storm that will bring heavy snow, dangerous cold, and hazardous travel conditions starting early Tuesday.
Snowfall is expected to begin in the early morning hours Tuesday and continue through the day, with widespread totals of 4 to 6 inches along and near the Interstate 10 corridor. Some areas could see 5 to 7 inches, with isolated amounts of 8 to 10 inches possible.
Snowfall rates of 1 inch per hour, combined with wind gusts up to 35 mph, could create whiteout conditions at times. Travel will be nearly impossible Tuesday, especially on elevated roadways and bridges, where snow and ice are expected to accumulate quickly.
Temperatures will stay below freezing for much of the day Wednesday, meaning that snow and ice will melt slowly and refreeze overnight, extending hazardous conditions into Thursday morning.
The storm is expected to move out of the region late Tuesday night, but extreme cold will linger through midweek, with some areas seeing wind chills as low as 5 degrees Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
For those venturing outdoors, prolonged exposure to the cold could lead to hypothermia or frostbite. Dress in warm layers and limit time outside if possible…