NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The Gulf Coast region is bracing for a rare winter storm that will bring heavy snow, dangerous cold, and hazardous travel conditions starting early Tuesday. Snowfall is expected to begin in the early morning hours Tuesday and continue throughout the day, with widespread totals of 4 to 6 inches across the region. Some areas along and near the I-10 corridor in Louisiana could see 5 to 8 inches, with isolated amounts up to 10 inches possible. Snowfall rates of 1 inch per hour, combined with wind gusts up to 35 mph, could create whiteout conditions at times. The heaviest snow is expected to fall between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tuesday, with skies forecast to clear gradually from the northwest to the southeast between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Travel will be nearly impossible Tuesday, especially on elevated roadways and bridges, where snow and ice are expected to accumulate quickly. Temperatures will stay below freezing for much of the day Wednesday, meaning that snow and ice will melt slowly and refreeze overnight, extending hazardous conditions into Thursday morning. The storm is expected to move out of the region late Tuesday night, but extreme cold will linger through midweek, with some areas seeing wind chills as low as the single digits by Wednesday morning. For those venturing outdoors, prolonged exposure to the cold could lead to hypothermia or frostbite. Dress in warm layers and limit time outside if possible. Officials are urging residents to prepare now. Bring pets inside, protect exposed pipes to prevent freezing, and check on elderly neighbors or anyone who may not have adequate heating. Conditions are expected to gradually improve by Thursday, with daytime highs reaching the mid to upper 40s. However, officials warn that shaded areas and eastbound lanes of interstates may remain icy even after temperatures warm. Residents should monitor local updates and avoid unnecessary travel. Stay safe, stay warm, and prepare to stay home Tuesday and Wednesday. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts NOPD releases suspect vid in quadruple shooting that killed 2 Heavy snow, gusty winds to hit the northern Gulf Coast starting early Tuesday Mandeville man arrested in connection with attempted murder investigation McCollum leads Pelicans to franchise-best 25-point comeback in a 123-119 OT win over the Jazz Trump signs flurry of restrictive immigration orders on Day One