More than 2,000 flights were canceled and another 2,100 delayed on Tuesday, January 21, in the United States due to the storm hitting the southeastern part of the country, which has brought the first snowfall to the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, in 16 years. According to the Flightaware portal, the most affected airports are Houston Bush and William P. Hobby in Houston, Texas, where practically all departing and arriving flights are canceled, as well as those in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. There are also airports with interrupted service in the states of Georgia, Mississippi, and Florida.
A historic winter storm is expected to bring heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures to different states along the Gulf Coast, mainly Louisiana and Texas, potentially affecting up to 55 million people by midweek, according to forecasts from the National Weather Service (NWS).
In the case of New Orleans, it is currently under a winter storm alert, which could leave between 10.16 to 17.78 centimeters of snow today. Authorities are urging residents to stay indoors and avoid the roads until the ice melts.
The NWS warns of the potential for a 'historic snowfall' across the coastline from Texas to western Florida, and conditions of snow, ice, and sleet extending to Georgia, northern Florida, and eastern Carolinas. 'This storm could cause significant disruptions on highways and air traffic, including closed roads and canceled flights, which may continue for several days even after the snowfall ends,' the authority states, also warning of power outages.
