Weather is unpredictable; its patterns change every year. Many southern states experienced an abundance of snow in early January. Certain areas got enough snow to break records. States such as New Jersey, Louisiana, Florida, Texas, South Carolina, Southern Alabama and Georgia experienced irregular amounts of snowfall this winter.
Snow is uncommon for the south, especially closer to the equator. This year’s snowfall has shocked many and even canceled school in areas due to severe weather conditions. In some areas, the snowfall this year was also at record-breaking amounts.
New Orleans has experienced 10 inches of snow; they have not had this much since 1895 when they got nine inches. Milton and Pensacola, Florida both broke 130-year-old records with five and 8.8 inches of snow. Chalmette and New Orleans, Louisiana broke records with around 10-11 inches of snow. The last time it snowed in Louisiana was in December of 2004 with half an inch. Texas had six to eight inches in some areas, along with its first-ever blizzard warning in Beaumont. Mobile, Alabama has seen a record of seven and a half inches this year. This storm has brought more snowfall to some cities than any other storm in 130 years. Temperatures in the Gulf have reached as low as 12 degrees.
Although this snow is fun to play in, it also poses a risk for the South. It is known that southern areas do not get much snow, and when they do schools are usually closed because there are not the same resources to keep roads clear and ice-free as there are up North. As well as people in the South are not educated on how to drive and what to do to prepare their houses when it snows. This is becoming increasingly important to know since we are receiving more and more snow each year. Although the average snowfall is not nearly as much as in the northern areas, it is still important to keep roads clear of snow and ice because it is easy to slide on roads and potentially injure yourself and others.
Clothing is also something that the South is not very well equipped with. Just this year 11 people died. Three people died from hypothermia in Georgia and Texas. In South Carolina, a man died while shoveling snow. In Alabama, someone died from a house fire when they left their stove on to keep warm, and another in a car accident. Five people died in Texas when a tractor-trailer collided with other vehicles after sliding on icy roads.
When it snows it is important to avoid unnecessary travel and when you do travel, do so slowly and cautiously. When going outside make sure to put many layers of clothing on and go inside every couple of hours to warm up. Keep warm, weatherproof gloves on, and change clothes when they get too wet. Make sure to wear hats and weather-appropriate shoes. It is also important to stay away from roads when playing or sledding down hills, as you never know when cars can slide off of roads. This will ensure that you stay warm and safe while having fun in the snow.
