Residents across parts of the Gulf Coast and South are bracing for a rare winter storm expected to drop heavy snow and create treacherous conditions.

Hazardous travel conditions are expected early Tuesday across the San Antonio metro area, but snow and ice will likely melt by the afternoon.

A rare frigid storm charged through Texas and the northern Gulf Coast on Tuesday, blanketing New Orleans and Houston with snow that closed highways, grounded nearly all flights and canceled school for more than a million students more accustomed to hurricane dismissals than snow days.

Heavy snow and freezing temperatures are hitting parts of Texas and the Gulf Coast, causing travel disruptions and prompting a number of Southern governors to declare states of emergency. Winter weather — including low temperatures and storms — involves a number of risks,

Precip may start as rain, but as temps fall to the freezing mark after sunset Monday, a transition to freezing rain and sleet is expected.