A historic winter storm swept through Texas and the northern Gulf Coast on Tuesday, disrupting daily life with snow, sleet, and ice. The storm forced highway closures, flight cancellations, and marked the first-ever blizzard warning for parts of southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana.

Unprecedented Winter Conditions

• Blizzard Warnings Issued: Meteorologists declared the first blizzard warning in history for regions of southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana. Donald Jones, a meteorologist, called the storm “historic” and noted snow levels not seen since 1960.
• Snowfall Records: Some areas could experience 3 to 6 inches of snow, with the heaviest accumulation along the I-10 corridor, including cities like Houston, New Orleans, Mobile, and Pensacola.

Widespread Travel Disruptions

• Air Travel Chaos: Nearly 2,000 flights were canceled, with 10,000 delays reported nationwide, according to FlightAware. Houston’s airports halted all operations on Tuesday due to hazardous conditions.
• Road Safety Warnings: Houston Mayor John Whitmire advised residents to prepare for 48 hours of severe conditions, warning against travel even when skies appeared clear.

States of Emergency and Arctic Blast

Governors in Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama declared states of emergency as the storm moved east. Many schools and businesses closed preemptively.

• Eastern U.S. Impact:
  • Sub-freezing temperatures spread across the Eastern Seaboard, causing dangerous wind chills.
  • States around the Great Lakes anticipated up to 2 feet of snow, while parts of the Northern Plains faced wind chills as low as -55°F (-48°C).
  • The bitter cold was attributed to a polar vortex disruption, which caused Arctic air to push further south than usual.

Texans Brace for Severe Cold

In Texas, temperatures dropped below freezing, with Houston recording lows around 18°F (-8°C). This cold prompted residents to prepare for possible frozen pipes and power outages.

Jonathan LeBron, a plumbing manager in Houston, noted a surge in calls from homeowners worried about insulating their pipes:

“There is a little bit of panic… People remember the last freeze a few years ago and want to avoid burst pipes.”

Unusual Snowfall in Gulf Coast States

Snowfall along the Gulf Coast is rare, but this storm is setting near-record levels.

• Louisiana meteorologists warned of strong winds reducing visibility during snow bands.
• Officials urged residents to stay indoors, avoid driving, and prepare for potential power outages.

Community Reactions

• Stockpiling Supplies: Shoppers crowded supermarkets to buy food and essentials.
  William Jordan of New Orleans commented:

  “Everyone was shopping for the same things—something warm like gumbo to get through the cold.”

• Canceled Plans: Lakesha Reed, a New Orleans caterer, missed a flight to a Mardi Gras-style event in Washington, D.C., due to the storm.
  

  “We can barely drive in the rain, let alone snow. Last year, we wore shorts for Mardi Gras!”

Impact on Inauguration Ceremony

The extreme cold also affected national events. President Donald Trump’s inaugural ceremony had to be moved indoors to the Capitol Rotunda. It was the first indoor inauguration since Ronald Reagan’s in 1985.

A Broader Arctic Chill

• The storm’s effects extended far beyond the Gulf Coast.
  • From the Rockies to the Northern Plains, temperatures stayed below normal for days.
  • Wind chill advisories covered a wide region, including parts of Illinois, where temperatures dropped to -22°F (-30°C) in Chicago.

Southern California and Santa Ana Winds

While Texas and the Gulf Coast battled snow, Southern California faced another threat:

• Dry Winds and Fire Risk: Strong Santa Ana winds continued to fan flames, which have already devastated the region, killing at least 27 people and destroying thousands of homes.

Looking Ahead

As the storm moves eastward, heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain are expected to spread across Georgia, the Carolinas, and northern Florida. Forecasters warned of sub-freezing temperatures threatening crops, plumbing, and sensitive vegetation.

Residents across the affected regions are urged to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and prepare for prolonged freezing conditions.

Source

The post Rare Winter Storm Brings Snow and Ice to Texas and Gulf Coast appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

(Valid for broadcast until the next advisory at 11:00 AM today)

Overview
Super Typhoon “Pepito” has passed over the waters north of Calaguas Islands and is now situated over the sea east of Quezon.

Hazards Affecting Land Areas

• Heavy Rainfall Outlook:
  Refer to Weather Advisory No. 50 issued at 8:00 AM today for the latest heavy rainfall forecast associated with “Pepito.”
• Severe Winds:
  The wind signals provide a warning of the general wind threat in areas affected by the tropical cyclone. Winds may be slightly stronger in coastal and upland/mountainous regions exposed to the prevailing winds. Areas sheltered from the wind direction will experience less intensity.
  • Wind Signal No. 5: Extreme impacts from typhoon-force winds are expected.
  • Wind Signal No. 4: Significant to severe impacts from typhoon-force winds are possible.
  • Wind Signal No. 3: Moderate to significant impacts from storm-force winds are expected.
  • Wind Signal No. 2: Minor to moderate impacts from gale-force winds are likely.
  • Wind Signal No. 1: Minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible.
• Coastal Inundation:
  There is a high risk of life-threatening storm surges, with peak surge heights exceeding 3.0 meters over the next 48 hours. The following areas are at risk:
  • Ilocos Region (western coast), Isabela, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Marinduque, and Bicol Region.
    For detailed information, refer to Storm Surge Warning No. 10 issued at 8:00 AM today.

Hazards Affecting Coastal Waters

• Gale Warning:
  A Gale Warning is in effect over the eastern, western, and southern seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Visayas. For more details, refer to Gale Warning No. 13 issued at 5:00 AM today.
• Sea Condition Outlook:
  Sea conditions are expected to be very rough, with waves up to 14.0 meters in some areas. Mariners are advised to remain in port or seek shelter until conditions improve.
  • Very Rough Seas (Up to 14.0m): Northern and eastern seaboards of Polillo Islands; seaboard of Aurora
  • High Seas (Up to 12.0m): Seaboard of Camarines Norte
  • Rough Seas (Up to 4.0m): Seaboards of Batanes, northern Cagayan (including Babuyan Islands), Zambales
  • Moderate Seas (Up to 2.5m): Western seaboard of Bataan; eastern seaboard of Dinagat Islands

  Mariners of small vessels are advised not to venture out to sea, especially if inexperienced or operating ill-equipped boats.

Track and Intensity Outlook

• Movement:
  PEPITO is expected to continue moving west-northwestward over the waters north of Camarines Provinces and east of Quezon this morning. By late morning, it will pass close to or over Polillo Islands.
  • Landfall: The typhoon will make landfall over northern Quezon or central/southern Aurora between noon and afternoon today.
  • After Landfall: It will cross the northern portion of Central Luzon and the southern portion of Northern Luzon, passing through the upland areas of Sierra Madre, Caraballo, and Cordillera Central by this afternoon and evening.
  • Emerging over the West Philippine Sea: PEPITO will emerge over the coastal waters of Pangasinan or La Union tonight or early tomorrow (18 November). It will continue to move generally west-northwestward, and may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by tomorrow afternoon.

  It is important to note that areas outside the forecasted landfall and confidence cone may still experience heavy rainfall, severe winds, and storm surges.

• Intensity:
  PEPITO is expected to slightly weaken as it approaches its second landfall. After crossing mainland Luzon, it will likely weaken into a severe tropical storm. Further weakening is expected over the West Philippine Sea due to the incoming northeasterly wind surge.

Current Status

• Location of Eye/Center: The center of PEPITO’s eye is located over the coastal waters of Vinzons, Camarines Norte (14.9°N, 123.1°E).
• Movement: Moving northwestward at 15 km/h.
• Strength: Maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h near the center, with gusts reaching up to 230 km/h.

Conclusion
Residents in affected areas should stay informed and follow advisories issued by local authorities. It is crucial to prepare for heavy rainfall, strong winds, and coastal inundation. Stay indoors and secure property, especially in coastal and highland areas.

Please monitor official weather reports for updates and stay safe.

Source

The post Typhoon Pepito Update: Preparing for Severe Weather and Storm Surge in the Philippines appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.