A powerful winter storm has swept across the U.S., causing significant disruptions and extreme weather as it moved eastward. The storm initially hit the Gulf Coast and Texas earlier in the week, bringing heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Some areas in Texas received over 5 inches of snow, while the northern Gulf Coast experienced similar icy conditions. As the storm advanced eastward, it began to affect cities in the Southeastern U.S., including Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.

Governors in several states—Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida—declared states of emergency in response to the severe weather. The storm was accompanied by an Arctic blast of cold air originating from the North Pole, plunging temperatures across the Midwest and Eastern U.S. to dangerous levels, with severe wind chills. The cold front is expected to persist throughout the week, keeping temperatures well below freezing across many regions.

Florida has experienced some of the worst effects of the storm, with cities like Jacksonville seeing snow, sleet, and ice accumulation. Jacksonville International Airport was forced to close temporarily on Tuesday evening, with plans to reopen by Wednesday afternoon. Schools and government offices throughout the region suspended operations in anticipation of hazardous conditions.

Air travel has been significantly disrupted, with over 1,300 flights canceled by Wednesday morning, according to FlightAware, along with more than 900 delays. While Houston airports resumed operations on Wednesday after suspending flights the previous day, New Orleans' Louis Armstrong International Airport saw a near-complete halt in operations, with most flights canceled.

New Orleans experienced a historic snowfall, with some areas recording up to 10 inches—the city's largest snowfall in over a decade and far surpassing its previous record of 2.7 inches set in 1963. The National Weather Service described the snowstorm as "historic" for the region.

The storm has also caused widespread power outages. By Friday morning, over 132,000 customers were without power, according to Poweroutages.us. Georgia reported approximately 50,000 outages, while Florida experienced 43,000. The combination of heavy snow, ice, and strong winds brought down power lines and trees, complicating recovery efforts.

Further north, parts of New York also faced extreme conditions. A state of emergency was declared in over a dozen counties near the Great Lakes, where up to 2 feet of snow was forecast. Combined with subzero temperatures and lake-effect snow, conditions in the region remain particularly challenging.

The storm's extensive impact has left communities dealing with dangerous weather, power outages, and significant travel disruptions. Authorities in affected states continue to monitor the storm's development and urge residents to remain prepared for ongoing hazardous conditions.