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.

Dangerous below-freezing temperatures with even colder wind chills were also expected to last over much of the week in the region. Authorities say three people have died in the cold weather.

School districts across the New Orleans metro area canceled school again Thursday, the third day of cancellations due to the severe winter storm, raising the possibility of make-up school days later this year.