US cold wave pushes snow, ice to normally warmer southern States

An Arctic front Tuesday brought a wintry mix of snow and sleet to south-eastern states that normally stay above freezing throughout the winter, tying up traffic and closing schools.A strong cold front swept across the central and eastern US, the National Weather Service said, calling it “an anomalous winter storm.” Four south-eastern states – Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia – declared states of emergency, CNN reported. Authorities want people to stay home because people and public services are not appropriately equipped.About 2 centimetres of snow fell in Atlanta, Georgia. Cities farther south were experiencing a mix of snow and sleet.“A wintry mix is possible as far south as southern Louisiana, extending along the Gulf coast into northern Florida and north-eastward along the south-east coast into the Carolinas,” the weather service said.In Mississippi authorities warned that icing was probable and could cause power outages.In Houston, Texas, public offices and facilities were closed, and in Georgia and Alabama authorities closed schools as a precaution.It was colder but dry on the US East Coast and in the Midwest, the National Weather Service said. In Chicago temperature was around minus 16 C, with wind chill estimated at minus 34 C.In Wisconsin and Minnesota authorities appealed to citizens to stay off the roads.The website flightaware.com said 5,100 flights across the US were delayed and 3,100 were canceled.