Hard freeze warnings persist in the South but warmth on horizon: Latest forecast

The South may see temperatures reach the 70s next week.

ByMax Golembo, Emily Shapiro, and Melissa Griffin
February 19, 2021, 2:47 PM

Friday brought another frigid morning to the hard-hit South, where temperatures dipped into the teens and 20s.

The region gradually will warm up throughout the day, melting some ice and snow, but one more night of cold is expected to re-freeze roadways.

Hard freeze warnings remain in effect for parts of the South as wind chills are expected to fall into the teens and 20s, from Texas to Mississippi, on Saturday morning.

PHOTO: Vehicles are at a standstill southbound on Interstate Highway 35, Feb. 18, 2021, in Killeen, Texas.
Vehicles are at a standstill southbound on Interstate Highway 35, Feb. 18, 2021, in Killeen, Texas, following a historic cold blast.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
PHOTO: Joggers run down a street as a second winter storm in a week brings more snow, Feb. 18, 2021, in Nolensville, Tenn.
Joggers run down a street as a second winter storm in a week brings more snow, Feb. 18, 2021, in Nolensville, Tenn.
Mark Humphrey/AP

After a week of historic and disastrous cold, snow and ice, over 14 million in Texas are experiencing disrupted water service and over 180,000 customers in the state arestill without power.

In Harris County -- home to Houston -- there have been 10 hypothermia deaths and over 600 cases of carbon monoxide poisoning, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said.

President Joe Biden said on Friday he would sign a major disaster declaration for Texas, separate from the emergency declaration he signed Sunday.

PHOTO: Mark Majkrzak gives out bottles of Rain Pure Mountain Spring Water to people in need on Feb. 19, 2021, in Austin, Texas. Majkrzak, the founder of the company, said he drove from Georgia to deliver water.
Mark Majkrzak gives out bottles of Rain Pure Mountain Spring Water to people in need on Feb. 19, 2021, in Austin, Texas. Majkrzak, the founder of the company, said he drove from Georgia to deliver water.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
PHOTO: Shoppers walk past a bare shelf at a grocery store, Feb.18, 2021, in Austin, Texas.
Shoppers walk past a bare shelf at a grocery store, Feb.18, 2021, in Austin, Texas.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

In Jackson, Mississippi, most residents have little to no water pressure. Jackson Public Works Director Charles Williams said the length of the cold snap in Jackson has taken a toll on water production.

"Hopefully, by this weekend you will start seeing some pressure build back up, and water will slowly be restored," Williams said Thursday, adding that it's difficult to provide a timeline because weather impacts are "unpredictable."

But the record cold blast should break down over the weekend and into early next week -- in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, temperatures may even reach the 70s. 

Meanwhile, the Northeast is enduring another snowstorm.

PHOTO: TOPSHOT - People walk through the snow in New York, on Feb. 18, 2021, after a snowstorm.
TOPSHOT - People walk through the snow in New York, on Feb. 18, 2021, after a snowstorm.
Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

The heaviest snow totals are north of Philadelphia and in central New Jersey, where up to 11 inches fell over the last 24 hours.

The New York City area saw 3 to 5 inches of snow, while the Boston area got about 2 inches.

Winter weather advisories remain in effect from Philadelphia to New York City.

Southern New England could see another 1 to 3 inches of snow before the storm leaves Friday night.

Some 6 million vaccine doses have been delayed due to this week's weather, affecting all 50 states, White House senior adviser Andy Slavitt said Friday.

More than 2,000 vaccine sites are still without power and unable to receive doses, he said.

"We're already working to clear this backlog -- 1.4 million doses are already in transit today, and we anticipate that all the backlog doses will be delivered within the next week, with most being delivered within the next several days," Slavitt added.

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