Overnight temperatures are expected to be in the teens to lower 20s through the weekend, with a chance of snow on Thursday.

Across the south and east, bitter cold was hitting southerners with freezing temperatures. The deep freeze was expected to last for at least the rest of the week.

The duration of the cold snap is unusual, especially in the south, where the weather is typically chilly for just a day or two before temperatures rebound into the 50s.

Waves of Arctic air pushed into central Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle, as temperatures dipped into the 20s and wind chills into the teens. Hard freeze warnings covered the region Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Charleston, South Carolina, was expecting subfreezing overnight lows all week. Parts of eastern Kentucky, western Virginia, and West Virginia could see up to 3 inches of snow by Tuesday afternoon.

Advisories have been received from the following airlines.

Delta Air Lines Delta Air Lines announced today travel options for customers whose flight plans may be affected by winter weather expected across the US Southeast on Thursday, January 7 - including at the airline's Atlanta hub.

Customers booked on Delta- and Northwest-ticketed flights to, from, or through the following states for travel on Thursday may make a one-time change to their travel schedule without fees if tickets are changed by Saturday, January 9, 2010.

- Alabama - Arkansas - Georgia - Mississippi - Tennessee

Delta may proactively reduce flight schedules at affected airports to ensure delays are minimized during the expected storm. However, customers with travel booked to or from the affected states on January 7 may wish to consider postponing or rerouting their trip without penalty to avoid possible inconvenience.

Travel for changed itineraries must begin by January 9, 2010 and changes to origin and destination may result in a fare increase. Any fare difference between the original ticket and the new ticket will be collected at the time of rebooking. Customers whose flights are cancelled may request refunds. Delta will continue to monitor the weather situation and provide the latest weather updates at delta.com .

Autor: eTurboNews