Houston mayor John Whitmire and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo both warned that the conditions will worse before they get better.

Tuesday's snow largely melted Wednesday as temperatures climbed from the teens into the 40s. Highs in the lows 50s are forecasted for Thursday and Friday, with temperatures reaching the 60s this weekend,

After facing iced-over roads and snow,  Houston-area package delivery companies are set to resume regular hours for the rest of the week.

Lingering frigid conditions could continue to disrupt the South in cities not accustomed to the deep freeze that has gripped much of the nation.

Weather forecasters and public agencies issued health and power loss warnings Tuesday as a “rare winter storm" gripped parts of the southern and eastern United States."A bitterly cold airmass will remain in place for much of the South and eastern U.

A historic winter storm swept across the Gulf Coast on Tuesday, bringing heavy snow and icy conditions to the Southeast while most of the country was facing dangerously cold temperatures from an arctic blast that arrived over the weekend.