As South digs out from brutal storm, Florida cities still more frigid than Alaska

PENSACOLA, Fla. ? It was so cold across Florida on Thursday morning that temperatures in at least four cities were colder than in Alaska, but a desperately needed warmup was on the way for millions of Americans in the South following a deadly winter storm unmatched in decades.

Early Thursday, the temperature here dipped to 26 degrees while in Alaska residents of Anchorage basked in 41 degrees. Anchorage has actually received less than 4 inches of snow this season ? less than half the amount that slammed Pensacola in one day this week.

Forecasters, however, say the Gulf Coast region's melt is beginning.

Houston, where some areas saw up to 6 inches of snow Tuesday, could reach 50 degrees Thursday, the National Weather Service said. New Orleans, which got 10 inches for its biggest snowfall in more than a century, could see 41 degrees. Mobile, Alabama, two days after a record snowfall of 7.5 inches, was forecast to reach 45 degrees and Pensacola, Florida, where records also fell, could reach 44 degrees.

"Even today, with temperatures in those areas inching toward the 40s, that snow and ice will refreeze as temperatures drop back into the 20s" overnight, meteorologist Richard Hurley of the Weather Prediction Center said.

The long-term prospects appear encouraging. Weather.com forecasts above-average temperatures from the Southwest to the East from February to April, including "much of the South, which is most likely to see warmer-than-average temperatures."

'Don't worry; we will thaw': When will the South feel like the South again?

Developments:

? At least 12 people have died in the winter storm, seven of them in Texas.

? In Florida, the 9.8 inches of snow measured in Milton more than doubled the previous state record set nearby in 1954. Farther north, parts of the Outer Banks of North Carolina received 9 inches.

Rare winter storm: Southern system turns deadly; dig-out begins

Last hoorah for Florida fun in the snow

It was last call for snowball fights and sledding at Tallahassee's McCord Park on Thursday. Elizabeth Black was celebrating her eighth birthday sledding down a hill with her parents, Greg and Melanie, and her younger sister Katherine. Pool floats in the form of a unicorn and swan were used as makeshift Florida sleds for the family, as well as others who joined in on the fun.

Shrieks of joy and giggles were heard as Michael Braun, 4, his younger brother Marshall, 2, and their friend Asher, 6, flew down the icy hill.

Forecasters couldn't say precisely when the snow would be gone. But it was likely that most would melt in a day or two under the sunny, warmer conditions.

"To still have snow/sleet on the ground nearly 2 days since it started," wrote National Weather Service meteorologist Wright Dobbs on X. "Still hard to believe!" Read more here.

? Alicia Devine and Jeff Burlew, Tallahassee Democrat

Rare black ice in New Orleans

State and local officials were struggling to clear roadways left unnavigable by the storm, sometimes dealing with a shortage of plows in states seldom requiring them.

“This is a highly unusual winter weather event impacting nearly three-quarters of the state," Georgia Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurry said in a statement. “Our crews cannot be everywhere at once.”

In New Orleans, hardware store clerk Yancy Roberts said he walked eight blocks to work Thursday through piles of snow, sliding on ice and falling on black ice he didn't see.

"The city ain't thawed out yet," Roberts said. "Maybe tomorrow it will."

Cities, towns emerge from the ice

The sun crept over the horizon and the temperature over freezing Thursday as the Gulf Coast tried to regain some sense of normalcy after absorbing just about the most severe winter blow it has ever taken. Almost 200 miles of Interstate 10 remained closed.

In New Orleans, some highways were cleared and reopened and some grocery stores opened their doors. Schools were closed, but the district had not released a decision on Friday, saying it was assessing "the readiness of our buildings' heating systems and pipes as well as work with transportation providers on bus readiness."

In Pensacola, officials said the city won't return to normal business operations until Monday. Still, Pensacola International Airport reopened. And all-important trash collection will resume Friday, but "we're not promising that we're going to get to everybody's can," Mayor D.C. Reeves said.

For Texas, now comes the rain

The stunning winter storm in its rearview mirror, Texas now prepares for up to five consecutive days of rain. In addition to snow, some areas experienced several days of subzero temperatures. Dalhart recorded the coldest at -7°F on Tuesday. The National Weather Service office in Dallas-Fort Worth  said temperatures will be in the 50s in Houston on Friday and Saturday and in the 60s on Sunday and Monday.

Forecasts show five consecutive days of rain possible starting Saturday from North Texas to the Texas Coast, including Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, Houston and San Antonio. The weather service did add that "no single day will be a complete washout." Read more here.

? Brandi D. Addison

New Orleans got its biggest snow in more than a century

This winter storm proved so severe the National Weather Service issued the first-ever blizzard warning for Louisiana. The majority of Southeast Louisiana saw 4-8 inches of snow accumulation, however some areas received 10 inches of snowfall.

Heavy snow, totaling 6-10 inches, fell over the New Orleans metropolitan area, the river parishes and areas of northern bayou parishes extending to the Northshore. The astonishing snow total in New Orleans on Tuesday marked the snowiest day in the metropolitan area in 130 years. It also prompted this headline from the Anchorage Daily News in that snow-starved city: "Hey, New Orleans, please send some of your snow to Anchorage."

? Presley Bo Tyler, Shreveport Times

Students, police clash in the snow

In the Tallahasse neighborhood of College Town, predominantly populated by Florida State University students, people swarmed the streets to celebrate the winter storm ? and to throw snowballs. It ended in police using pepper balls.

Tallahassee Police Department Lt. Damon Miller said the clash began after the department received calls about vehicles being hit by snowballs in the an area near FSU's campus that is lined with bars, restaurants and apartments. One person reported being hit in the head. Responding officers and a patrol car were then struck by "snow/iceballs," Miller wrote in an email. Police told the crowd to disperse, which it did not do.

"The officers retrieved their pepper ball systems from their vehicles and issued additional warnings," Miller wrote. "When the crowd continued to be non-compliant, the officer fired pepper balls in a strategic manner to encourage the dispersal of the disorderly crowd."

One person was arrested for battery on law enforcement officer.

? Douglas Soule, Tallahassee Democrat

An icy start for the Gulf of America

Meteorologist Ryan Maue poked some fun at President Donald Trump's effort to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. Maue posted a map of the USA on social media, showing the bitter cold temperatures across the Gulf Coast.

"Great start for the newly discovered Gulf of America," Maue wrote. "Explorers note the climate is polar with heavy snow and ice observed along the coastlines."

Storm will be costly to businesses

AccuWeather issued a preliminary estimate of $14-$17 billion across the South for total damage and economic loss from the snow, ice and extreme cold. AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter noted that businesses have been forced to shut down, sometimes for days, and supply chain and shipping logistics have been severely disrupted.

"With the cold remaining in place, the impacts and interruptions from this winter storm will be felt for days to come," Porter said.

A winter Waffle House indicator in Tallahassee?

In Florida, Tallahassee police have advised residents to stay off icy roads. But a handful of brave patrons made their way to one local Waffle House on Wednesday morning – bundled up, clutching fresh cups of coffee to warm their hands for the walk back home. The full menu wasn't available, but Tallahassee's Waffle Houses were serving the "Emergency Bowl Menu." Customers could enjoy a bacon, egg and cheese bowl with their hash browns. Best known for being an indicator of how severe a hurricane threat is, the Waffle House easily withstood the Florida winter storm threat in Tallahassee.

A Waffle House representative said the limited menu is designed to accommodate lower staffing levels and to serve guests quickly. The chain's website shows eight 24-hour locations in and around the city.

? Kyla A Sanford, Tallahassee Democrat

Contributinig: Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK; Pensacola News Journal; Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: As South digs out from storm, some Florida cities colder than Alaska