Here’s what’s happening and what’s expected for this week

A rare, potentially historic winter storm is bringing heavy snow and icy conditions across the Gulf Coast, while most of the country faces dangerously cold temperatures from an Arctic blast that arrived over the weekend.

Winter storm warnings were in effect Tuesday for eight states from Louisiana to Virginia Beach, and the governors of Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, Florida and Mississippi declared states of emergency ahead of the storm.

More than 10 inches of snow reported in Louisiana

According to the National Weather Service latest update“Current radar shows a swath of moderate to heavy snow continuing from central Louisiana to the western Florida Panhandle.”

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Tuesday’s preliminary snow totals show parts of Louisiana getting hit with snow, with Rayne and Lafayette receiving 10.5 inches and 9.5 inches, respectively. Pine Forest, Texas, was reported to see half a foot of snow, while Mobile, Ala., has seen 4.7 inches so far.

According to the NWSsnowfall rates of 1 inch or more per hour were possible from eastern Texas through the western Florida Panhandle. A blizzard warning was issued for the first time along parts of the Louisiana coast.

“Gusty winds and low visibility will continue to make travel difficult,” he says weather service is advised. “Winter storm impacts will begin tonight for areas further east across Georgia, northern Florida and the Carolinas as freezing rain, sleet and snow begin.”

“This should be considered a generational winter storm event and its effects should be taken seriously,” the weather service warned.

What has been affected so far?

Travel is already affected. According to FlightAwareThere were more than 2,100 flight cancellations within, into or out of the United States early Tuesday, with most originating in Texas and Louisiana.

Houston’s two major airports, George Bush Intercontinental and William P. Hobby, was closed on Tuesday because of the impending storm. NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston said it will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Blizzard conditions prompted the closure of several major roads and bridges, including the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in New Orleans.

And hundreds of schools from Texas to Virginia, including dozens in Florida’s Panhandle, were closed Tuesday.

Arctic blast brings bone-chilling cold

A bicyclist navigates an icy road amid single-digit temperatures in Denver Monday.

An icy roadway in single digit temperatures in Denver on Monday. (David Zalubowski/AP)

Meanwhile, nearly 220 million people in 40 states are facing brutally cold temperatures and dangerous wind chills from an arctic air mass that has settled over a large swath of the country.

“A bitterly cold air mass will remain in place across much of the southern and eastern United States over the next few days,” the weather service said. “Expected temperatures on Tuesday will be up to 20 to 30 degrees below the January average for most locations, with highs ranging from single digits and teens in the Midwest, teens and 20s in the Northeast, and 20s and 30s across of the central and southern plains and the southeast.”

“Many record lows are possible Wednesday morning, especially along the Gulf Coast,” NWS forecasters said, and subzero temperatures will continue for the central and southern Plains and Ohio Valley.

Dangerous wind chill

Runners brave the extreme cold as they cross a bridge over the frozen Mississippi River in Minneapolis on Monday.

Runners cross the frozen Mississippi River in Minneapolis on Monday. (Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images)

In the northern plains, wind chills of 30 to 55 degrees below zero were forecast for a second day in a row.

“Wind chills as low as 50 below zero can cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes,” The National Weather Service Office in Grand Forks, ND, warned. “Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures. If you must go outside, cover as much exposed skin as possible. Dress in layers, including a hat, face mask and gloves. Take frequent breaks to warm up.”

However, a return to “relatively warmer, more typical January temperatures” of 20 to 30 degrees above zero was expected by midweek, forecasters said.

A person sits wrapped in a light green blanket on Lake Harriet in Minneapolis on January 19.

Lake Harriet in Minneapolis. (Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images)