The NWS forecasts clear skies and calm winds for New Orleans, with a weekend high of 54°F and a chance of showers by Sunday night.

Ahead of what would typically be a normal morning commute, the National Weather Service in New Orleans warned that travel was perilous as ice and snow still blanketed the area. Many roads and bridges remain closed.

New Orleans is forecast to get several inches of snow on Tuesday, potentially setting a record in the city known for heat and humidity. Why it matters: The region is expected to shutdown through Thursday in anticipation of icy road conditions.

ATLANTA — A rare winter storm charging through Texas and the northern Gulf Coast on Tuesday has closed highways and airports and prompted the first blizzard warning for southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana.

Just over 8 inches of snow fell in New Orleans between Valentine's Day and Feb. 15, 1895, a record that remains unchallenged to this day, according to National Weather Service. Other cities in Louisiana saw even more snow, with 12.5 inches recorded in Baton Rouge, 14 inches in Lafayette and a whopping 22 inches of snow recorded in Lake Charles.

Snow has been steadily falling in south Louisiana, coating New Orleans metro and bringing the region to a standstill. Why it matters: This winter storm could potentially set a record for the amount of snow it drops.

Metro New Orleans has received more snowfall since the start of meteorological winter than many cold-weather cities across the country, including Philadelphia, New York and Anchorage, Alaska.

The potential for snowfall on the Crescent City and the Red Stick next week is "looking increasingly possible," the National Weather Service in Slidell said Friday.

The Gulf Coast city that rarely sees snowflakes has received more than double the snowfall that Anchorage has since Dec. 1, the start of the meteorological winter.

Burns said there will be "limited" operations at the New Orleans airport Tuesday, with snow forecasted to begin falling by 6 a.m. and lasting through the evening. New Orleans could see up to 6 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service.

While Iowa is recovering from a cold snap with negative 30 wind chill, the state is running about 20 to 30 inches below average for seasonal snowfall.

Here's a look at snowfall totals from Tuesday's winter storm that blanketed Houston and parts Louisiana in multiple inches of the white stuff.