'Historic' snowstorm affects southern states – is it shocking?

Ironically, the day after President Trump essentially rolled back U.S. climate policy, the coldest and most severe winter storm in more than 40 years descended on the country.

When CNN regularly craves “the weather is climate change,” you know something is serious.

A winter storm warning has been issued, stretching from the U.S.-Mexico border to Duval County, Florida. Know: Houston, Texas, can expect 3-5 inches of snow; New Orleans 2-5 inches; the western Florida Panhandle could see up to 3 inches of rain by Wednesday.

Snow, strong winds and freezing temperatures were reported in the area. In one case posted on Twitter, a swamp airboat was turned into a snowmobile – h/t “Paul in the heights” on Twitter:

It gets more interesting. For example, the National Weather Service serving New Orleans/Baton Rouge issued a blizzard warning for the Lake Charles area. This is something you don't see every day.

Meanwhile, in Kansas City, temperatures have dropped to -9°F this morning. This broke the previous daily low record of -6°F set in 1935.

It’s not just Kansas City, much of the country is seeing new cold records today. Dozens, if not hundreds, of cold weather records have been set. More than 75% of the United States is expected to face severe cold this week.

Other interesting examples:

Snow at University of Houston, they closed campus:

https://twitter.com/UHouston/status/1881724543892443628

The National Weather Service in Jacksonville, Florida, predicts snow and freezing temperatures:

Further north, in Atlanta, the National Weather Service says:

Winter storm warnings and winter weather warnings are in effect from 10 a.m. Tuesday to 7 a.m. Wednesday. While snow accumulation will be highest in the central portion of the warning area, particularly in west-central Georgia, the impact of any snowfall on travel will be a primary concern. Impacts are expected on Tuesday's afternoon and evening commute, as well as Wednesday's commute.

Climate scientist Dr. David Viner once cursed:

However, warming has so far been more pronounced in winter, which is much colder than the sweltering summer months. Dr David Wiener, senior research scientist at the University of East Anglia's Climate Research Unit (CRU), said within a few years winter snowfall would be a “very rare and exciting event”.

“Kids just won't know what snow is,” he said.

… could not be reached for comment. Maybe it's because his bug has disappeared from the internet.

You can bet, though, that the usual skeptics will start blaming this event on climate change, citing the climate-driven excuses of “polar vortex” and “weather whiplash.”

Note: Certain elements of this story use tweets from Chris Martz.