A rare and potentially historic winter storm is bringing heavy snow to Texas and the Gulf Coast while most of the country is facing dangerously cold temperatures from an arctic blast that arrived over the weekend.

Snow and sleet started falling in Texas as officials begin to close schools and airports. Snow and ice could bring major travel disruptions and power outages from Texas to Florida.

A rare winter storm churned across the U.S. Gulf Coast on Tuesday, bringing heavy snow, ice and wind gusts to a region where flurries are unusual, while much of the United States remained in a deep freeze.