Snow in Louisiana

Snow in Louisiana is a relatively rare but not unheard of sight because of Louisiana’s subtropical climate. For snow to push into Louisiana, extreme weather conditions for the area must be present, usually a low-pressure system coupled with unusually low temperatures.^[1] Average snowfall in Louisiana is approximately 0.2 inches (5.1 mm) per year, a low figure rivaled only by the states of Florida and Hawaii.^[2]

According to the National Weather Service, measurable snowfall amounts occur on an average of only once every other year in Northwest Louisiana; many consecutive years may pass with no measurable snowfall. The heaviest snowstorm ever recorded in the state was in the Shreveport area, where 11.0 inches (280 mm) of snow fell in December 1929. This fell on December 21 and 22; half an inch remained on the ground on December 25 making this the only Christmas Day of record with snow on the ground. In 1948, 12.4 inches of snow was measured for the month of January for the greatest monthly amount on record. Occasional ice and sleet storms do considerable damage to trees, power and telephone lines, as well as make travel very difficult.^[3]