Louisiana’s humid subtropical climate (Cfa) defines its weather patterns, making snow a rare and unpredictable event across the state. While the possibility of frozen precipitation exists, especially during the coldest months, a measurable snowfall is highly infrequent and unusual. The southern half of the state, particularly the coastal areas, experiences this phenomenon with even greater rarity than its northern counterparts.
Frequency and Likelihood of Snowfall
The statistical reality of snow in Louisiana highlights its infrequency, with the average annual snowfall for the state registering at approximately 0.1 to 0.2 inches. This low figure places Louisiana statistically alongside other states that rarely see frozen precipitation, such as Florida or Hawaii. For much of the central and southern parts of the state, measurable snow accumulation occurs on fewer than one day per year across long-term records.
It is important to differentiate between a trace amount of snow and a measurable accumulation. A trace amount refers to flurries or brief snowfall that melts upon contact or accumulates to less than 0.1 inches. Measurable snow, which is defined as 0.1 inches or more, is the threshold that defines a snowfall event.
Geographic Variation Across the State
Snowfall likelihood varies significantly based on geographic location within Louisiana, following a clear north-to-south gradient. Northern Louisiana, which includes cities like Shreveport and Monroe, is situated closer to continental air masses and therefore experiences winter weather more frequently. The northern parishes typically record measurable snow about once every other year, a much higher frequency than the rest of the state.
Moving south, the probability of snow decreases substantially in central and southern Louisiana, including the metropolitan areas of Baton Rouge and New Orleans. These southern parishes are heavily influenced by the Gulf of Mexico, a body of water that acts as a significant moderator of winter air temperatures. The closer a location is to the Gulf Coast, the warmer the air and ground temperatures remain, making measurable snow extremely rare.
Climatic Factors That Limit Snow Accumulation
The primary reason for the rarity of snow lies in the atmospheric conditions necessary for frozen precipitation to occur. Snow requires a specific combination of cold air, moisture, and a freezing line that extends from the cloud base all the way to the ground. The state’s humid subtropical environment means that temperatures rarely drop low enough to meet this requirement.
The warm, moist air provided by the Gulf of Mexico frequently prevents precipitation from falling as snow, even when surface temperatures drop below the freezing point. Instead, the moisture often falls through a layer of cold air near the ground, resulting in a type of frozen precipitation called sleet or freezing rain. These ice storms and freezing rain events are a more common hazard in the state than heavy snowfall. Outbreaks of Arctic air must plunge unusually far south and collide with Gulf moisture in a precise way for a significant snow event to form.
Notable Historical Snow Events
Despite the general lack of snow, Louisiana has been impacted by a few historically significant winter storms. The heaviest snowstorm ever recorded in the state occurred in February 1895, during a period known as the Great Freeze, which deposited 16 inches of snow in Vermilion Parish. This same storm brought approximately 8.2 inches of snow to New Orleans, demonstrating the severity of this powerful system.
Later events also stand out, such as the 11 inches of snow recorded in the Shreveport area in December 1929. More recently, the January 2025 storm proved that extreme events are still possible, with Grand Coteau receiving 13.4 inches and New Orleans recording 10 inches. This modern occurrence was so severe that the National Weather Service issued its first-ever blizzard warning for parts of southern Louisiana, highlighting the disruptive nature of these infrequent but intense snowfalls.