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Snow in Louisiana

December 18, 2023

Snow in the southern part of Louisiana presents a rare and serious problem because of South Louisiana’s subtropical climate. For snow to push into the southern region of 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] Due to the infrequency of these cold weather patterns,[3] southern areas affected in this state are often unprepared to deal with slick streets and freezing temperatures.

Southeast region snowfall on Christmas Day 2004

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 of record in the Shreveport area is 11.0 inches (280 mm) 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.[4]

Notable events edit

 
Lake Charles, Louisiana in 1895

1895: A large snow storm spanning from Texas to Alabama left New Orleans with approximately 8.2 inches (21 cm) of snow, Lake Charles with 22 inches (56 cm) of snow, and Rayne with 24 inches (61 cm) of snow. However, these are unconfirmed.[5]

1899: With the Great Blizzard of 1899, snowfall in New Orleans reached 3.8 inches (9.7 cm) with strong winds and temperatures below 10 °F (−12 °C).[5]

2000: This snow was nationally televised as the 2000 Independence Bowl was being played on December 31, 2000, in Shreveport. The game was later referred to as "The Snow Bowl", as a snowstorm (rare for the Shreveport area) began just before kickoff, blanketing the field in powder, and continued throughout the entire game.

2004: The 2004 Christmas Eve snowstorm swept across southern Texas and Louisiana, leaving unprecedented amounts of snow in areas that had not seen snow in 15 to 120 years.[6]

2008: It snowed in and around semi-tropical New Orleans on December 11, 2008.

From dawn to mid-morning a thick snowfall of plump, wet flakes buried much of southeast Louisiana, from Amite to Westwego, under a blanket of white. Snow height: Amite, LA: 8 inches (20 cm) Washington, LA: 6 inches (15 cm) Opelousas, LA: 6 inches (15 cm) Covington, LA: 6 inches (15 cm) Hammond, LA: 6 inches (15 cm)

2014: The early 2014 North American cold wave that blew through the eastern portion of the continental United States produced record low temperatures and brought freezing snow and sleet to Louisiana.[7]

2017: Early in the morning on December 8, 2017, a winter storm dripped snowflakes on much of south Louisiana. Throughout the day, more and more snow fell. Snow lasted all day long. Heavy snowfall fell on the ground, giving some places a height of 6 inches (15 cm) of snow. Most schools across Louisiana closed due to the snow.

2021: Significant snow and ice was reported nearly statewide on February 14–15, 2021, with the February 13–17, 2021, North American winter storm and again on February 17 from the February 15–20, 2021, North American winter storm.

State preparedness edit

Because of the scarcity of freezing temperatures in Louisiana, many citizens of the region are often left unprepared to handle what might be considered a storm of little consequence in more northern states. The region has developed a system of road and school closures with only minimal snowfall, as most drivers in the area are unprepared to deal with slick, frozen roads.[8][9] In 2014, Gov. Bobby Jindal invoked the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act in advance of the weather and assembled teams to assist in preparation and recovery.[10]

Louisiana's environment edit

The state's typically humid subtropical climate rarely encounters precipitation coupled with freezing temperatures.[11] The low latitudes and proximity to the Gulf of Mexico helps maintain this climate, particularly closer to the coast.[11] The normally extreme summers are rarely countered by cold winters, with snowfall low in intensity and frequency. Also the southern portions of the state typically has two seasons, a wet season from April to October and a dry season from November to March. The cooler season typically brings in very little precipitation, also limiting snowfall.[12] Average winter temperature normals in southern Louisiana vary from the 40s to the 60s Fahrenheit.[3] Natural disasters such as hurricanes are far more common, and such an ecosystem is ill prepared for snow, particularly the seafood supply on which Louisiana relies for much of its revenue.[13] Little research has been done directly linking effects on Louisiana's ecosystem to snow conditions. However, the jet stream that created the 2014 North American cold wave has been linked to global warming,[14] and resultant cold fronts have been linked to salt water intrusion in Louisiana's Atchafalaya Bay.[15] However, one of Louisiana's most famous animals, the alligator, has proved versatile in adapting to cold weather conditions by burrowing in "alligator holes", which they usually use for waiting out a drought.[16] Studies conducted in Finland and Sweden suggest that snow creates more potential problems in urban communities due to increased pollution in runoff.[17][18] Due to the state's lack of resources and funding, however, it is unclear what levels of pollution due to snow affect the Louisiana area.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Palmer, Chad. "How a low-pressure system affects weather". USA Today. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  2. ^ "U.S. Average Snow State Rank". World Media Group. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  3. ^ a b "1981-2010 NCDC Monthly Normals". Southern Regional Climate Center. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  4. ^ "Weather and Climatological Facts" (PDF). US National Weather Service. Retrieved April 26, 2020.   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. ^ a b Burt, Christopher (2011). "Snowstorms in the Southeast and Deep South of the United States: An Historical Perspective". Wunderground. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  6. ^ "The Great Christmas Eve Snow Storm". Farmer's Almanac. 2006. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  7. ^ Masters, Jeff (7 January 2014). "Extreme Cold Wave Invades Eastern Half of U.S." Wunderground. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  8. ^ "Baton Rouge area road and interstate closures". The Times Picayune. 29 January 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  9. ^ Rischer, Richard (29 January 2014). "Southeast Louisiana, south Mississippi winter storm". WDSU News. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  10. ^ "Press Release". State of Louisiana. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  11. ^ a b "Louisiana, USA - Climate & Monthly weather forecast". Weather U.S. Retrieved 2022-08-13.
  12. ^ "Warm, subtropical climate gives an opportunity for year round operations". CLECO Business Development. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  13. ^ Gunn, Billy; Ward Steven (1 February 2014). "Chilly temperatures before Super Bowl weekend cause short supply, higher prices". The Advocate. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  14. ^ Neuman, Scott (16 February 2014). "Warming Arctic May Be Causing Jet Stream To Lose Its Way". NPR. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  15. ^ Li, Chunyan; Roberts, Harry; Stone, Gregory; Weeks, Eddie; Yixin, Luo (January 2011). "Wind surge and saltwater intrusion in Atchafalaya Bay during onshore winds prior to cold front passage". Hydrobiologia. 658 (1): 27–39. doi:10.1007/s10750-010-0467-5. ISSN 0018-8158.
  16. ^ Thomas, Bob. "Where Do Alligators Go in Winter?". Loyola University New Orleans. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  17. ^ Sillanpaa, Nora (2013). "Catchment-scale evaluation of pollution potential of urban snow at two residential catchments in southern Finland". Water Science and Technology. 68 (10): 2164–2170. doi:10.2166/wst.2013.466. PMID 24292463.
  18. ^ Lundberg, Angela; Feiccabrino, James; Westerlund, Camilla; Al-Ansari, Nadhir (2014). "Urban snow deposits versus snow cooling plants in northern Sweden: a quantitative analysis of snow melt pollutant releases". Water Quality Research Journal of Canada. 49 (1): 32–42. doi:10.2166/wqrjc.2013.042.

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Snow in Louisiana.
  • Louisiana Office of State Climatology. losc.lsu.edu
  • United Nations Environment Programme unep.org

December 18, 2023
snow, louisiana, snow, southern, part, louisiana, presents, rare, serious, problem, because, south, louisiana, subtropical, climate, snow, push, into, southern, region, louisiana, extreme, weather, conditions, area, must, present, usually, pressure, system, co. Snow in the southern part of Louisiana presents a rare and serious problem because of South Louisiana s subtropical climate For snow to push into the southern region of 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 Due to the infrequency of these cold weather patterns 3 southern areas affected in this state are often unprepared to deal with slick streets and freezing temperatures Southeast region snowfall on Christmas Day 2004According 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 of record in the Shreveport area is 11 0 inches 280 mm 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 4 Contents 1 Notable events 2 State preparedness 3 Louisiana s environment 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksNotable events edit nbsp Lake Charles Louisiana in 18951895 A large snow storm spanning from Texas to Alabama left New Orleans with approximately 8 2 inches 21 cm of snow Lake Charles with 22 inches 56 cm of snow and Rayne with 24 inches 61 cm of snow However these are unconfirmed 5 1899 With the Great Blizzard of 1899 snowfall in New Orleans reached 3 8 inches 9 7 cm with strong winds and temperatures below 10 F 12 C 5 2000 This snow was nationally televised as the 2000 Independence Bowl was being played on December 31 2000 in Shreveport The game was later referred to as The Snow Bowl as a snowstorm rare for the Shreveport area began just before kickoff blanketing the field in powder and continued throughout the entire game 2004 The 2004 Christmas Eve snowstorm swept across southern Texas and Louisiana leaving unprecedented amounts of snow in areas that had not seen snow in 15 to 120 years 6 2008 It snowed in and around semi tropical New Orleans on December 11 2008 From dawn to mid morning a thick snowfall of plump wet flakes buried much of southeast Louisiana from Amite to Westwego under a blanket of white Snow height Amite LA 8 inches 20 cm Washington LA 6 inches 15 cm Opelousas LA 6 inches 15 cm Covington LA 6 inches 15 cm Hammond LA 6 inches 15 cm 2014 The early 2014 North American cold wave that blew through the eastern portion of the continental United States produced record low temperatures and brought freezing snow and sleet to Louisiana 7 2017 Early in the morning on December 8 2017 a winter storm dripped snowflakes on much of south Louisiana Throughout the day more and more snow fell Snow lasted all day long Heavy snowfall fell on the ground giving some places a height of 6 inches 15 cm of snow Most schools across Louisiana closed due to the snow 2021 Significant snow and ice was reported nearly statewide on February 14 15 2021 with the February 13 17 2021 North American winter storm and again on February 17 from the February 15 20 2021 North American winter storm State preparedness editBecause of the scarcity of freezing temperatures in Louisiana many citizens of the region are often left unprepared to handle what might be considered a storm of little consequence in more northern states The region has developed a system of road and school closures with only minimal snowfall as most drivers in the area are unprepared to deal with slick frozen roads 8 9 In 2014 Gov Bobby Jindal invoked the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act in advance of the weather and assembled teams to assist in preparation and recovery 10 Louisiana s environment editThe state s typically humid subtropical climate rarely encounters precipitation coupled with freezing temperatures 11 The low latitudes and proximity to the Gulf of Mexico helps maintain this climate particularly closer to the coast 11 The normally extreme summers are rarely countered by cold winters with snowfall low in intensity and frequency Also the southern portions of the state typically has two seasons a wet season from April to October and a dry season from November to March The cooler season typically brings in very little precipitation also limiting snowfall 12 Average winter temperature normals in southern Louisiana vary from the 40s to the 60s Fahrenheit 3 Natural disasters such as hurricanes are far more common and such an ecosystem is ill prepared for snow particularly the seafood supply on which Louisiana relies for much of its revenue 13 Little research has been done directly linking effects on Louisiana s ecosystem to snow conditions However the jet stream that created the 2014 North American cold wave has been linked to global warming 14 and resultant cold fronts have been linked to salt water intrusion in Louisiana s Atchafalaya Bay 15 However one of Louisiana s most famous animals the alligator has proved versatile in adapting to cold weather conditions by burrowing in alligator holes which they usually use for waiting out a drought 16 Studies conducted in Finland and Sweden suggest that snow creates more potential problems in urban communities due to increased pollution in runoff 17 18 Due to the state s lack of resources and funding however it is unclear what levels of pollution due to snow affect the Louisiana area See also editSnow in FloridaReferences edit Palmer Chad How a low pressure system affects weather USA Today Retrieved 3 March 2014 U S Average Snow State Rank World Media Group Retrieved 1 April 2014 a b 1981 2010 NCDC Monthly Normals Southern Regional Climate Center Retrieved 5 March 2014 Weather and Climatological Facts PDF US National Weather Service Retrieved April 26 2020 nbsp This article incorporates text from this source which is in the public domain a b Burt Christopher 2011 Snowstorms in the Southeast and Deep South of the United States An Historical Perspective Wunderground Retrieved 4 March 2014 The Great Christmas Eve Snow Storm Farmer s Almanac 2006 Retrieved 5 March 2014 Masters Jeff 7 January 2014 Extreme Cold Wave Invades Eastern Half of U S Wunderground Retrieved 5 March 2014 Baton Rouge area road and interstate closures The Times Picayune 29 January 2014 Retrieved 5 March 2014 Rischer Richard 29 January 2014 Southeast Louisiana south Mississippi winter storm WDSU News Retrieved 5 March 2014 Press Release State of Louisiana Retrieved 28 March 2014 a b Louisiana USA Climate amp Monthly weather forecast Weather U S Retrieved 2022 08 13 Warm subtropical climate gives an opportunity for year round operations CLECO Business Development Retrieved 5 March 2014 Gunn Billy Ward Steven 1 February 2014 Chilly temperatures before Super Bowl weekend cause short supply higher prices The Advocate Retrieved 5 March 2014 Neuman Scott 16 February 2014 Warming Arctic May Be Causing Jet Stream To Lose Its Way NPR Retrieved 5 March 2014 Li Chunyan Roberts Harry Stone Gregory Weeks Eddie Yixin Luo January 2011 Wind surge and saltwater intrusion in Atchafalaya Bay during onshore winds prior to cold front passage Hydrobiologia 658 1 27 39 doi 10 1007 s10750 010 0467 5 ISSN 0018 8158 Thomas Bob Where Do Alligators Go in Winter Loyola University New Orleans Retrieved 1 April 2014 Sillanpaa Nora 2013 Catchment scale evaluation of pollution potential of urban snow at two residential catchments in southern Finland Water Science and Technology 68 10 2164 2170 doi 10 2166 wst 2013 466 PMID 24292463 Lundberg Angela Feiccabrino James Westerlund Camilla Al Ansari Nadhir 2014 Urban snow deposits versus snow cooling plants in northern Sweden a quantitative analysis of snow melt pollutant releases Water Quality Research Journal of Canada 49 1 32 42 doi 10 2166 wqrjc 2013 042 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Snow in Louisiana Louisiana Office of State Climatology losc lsu edu United Nations Environment Programme unep org Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Snow in Louisiana amp oldid 1169389643, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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