(UPDATED Jan. 21, 2024, 11:45 a.m. ET)
Another strong, disruptive winter weather event will unfold across the U.S. this week, but this time the Gulf Coast is preparing for impacts.
Polar air is plunging south from Canada to start the week and meeting with moisture across the Gulf Coast from East Texas to Florida. As a center of low pressure moves over the Gulf, the storm will strengthen and bring snowfall of 3-5 inches, ice accumulation of up to 1 inch, and temperatures down into the upper teens and low 20s.
Forecasters are calling this a “once in a generation” snow event as the far southern parts of the US have only recorded measurable snowfall a handful of times.
Houston, New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, are all bracing for major impacts due to the snow and ice; all cities lack infrastructure to easily deal with even minor accumulations, so anything over 1-2 inches will cause significant damage and interruption to services including transportation. Ice accumulations will cause power outages and slick travel and snow accumulations will impact roadways likely causing accidents.
Both Houston Hobby Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport have suspended passenger and cargo flight operations on Tuesday due to the expected conditions.
FedEx warned in a service alert that packages scheduled for delivery on Tuesday could be delayed by winter weather that has disrupted operations at its global hub in Memphis, Tennessee. UPS said service in large parts of Texas and Louisiana is impacted by the storm system. And Dunavent, a Memphis, Tennesee-based 3PL, said it expects the inclement weather to impact operations in Houston, as well as its cross-border operations in Texas.
The Port of Savannah will close truck gates at 2 p.m., with container pickup and deliveries cut off 60 to 90 minutes before then, the Georgia Ports Authority said.
The National Weather Service in Mobile says to expect “significant and long lasting impacts” as cold temperatures will linger through the end of the week.
Brokerage Compliance Symposium
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
F3 Awards Dinner
The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
F3: Future of Freight Festival
Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowThe night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowIndustry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now