Southern cities had the most snow
Historic Snowstorm Blankets Gulf Coast with Record-Breaking Totals
In a rare and record-breaking event, parts of the Gulf Coast and Deep South were blanketed with historic snowfall on Tuesday. The storm produced snowfall totals that left meteorologists stunned and shattered decades-old records. Some areas recorded more than a foot of snow, transforming typically warm regions into winter wonderlands.
Meteorologists Stunned by Unprecedented Conditions
The snowstorm left experts scrambling for words to describe its magnitude. One meteorologist summed up the sentiment, saying, “Just like hundreds of other meteorologists today, I am speechless.” A video clip of whiteout conditions on Pensacola Bay Bridge in Florida highlighted the storm’s intensity.
Milton, Florida, recorded a remarkable 8.8 inches of snow, potentially the state’s largest single-day snowfall ever. In Louisiana, deep snowdrifts met the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, creating surreal scenes.
Snow Records Shattered Across the South
New Orleans, a city more associated with Mardi Gras than snow, saw its airport record 8 inches of snow, obliterating its previous daily record of 2.7 inches. Locals embraced the wintery weather, with some skiing down Bourbon Street. Remarkably, New Orleans experienced more snow in a single day than New York City or Anchorage, Alaska, had seen during December and January combined.
In Alabama, a beachside snowball fight was the highlight of the day, as residents celebrated the first blizzard warning ever issued for the Gulf Coast.
The storm delivered historic totals across multiple states:
- Texas: La Porte, Pine Forest, and Vidor each saw 6 inches of snow.
- Louisiana: St. Bernard Parish recorded an astonishing 11.5 inches.
- Mississippi: Ocean Springs and Long Beach reported 9 inches.
- Alabama: Babbie recorded 11 inches.
- Florida: Milton set a likely state record with 9.8 inches, while Pensacola saw 7.6 inches.
- Georgia: Cordele was buried under 9 inches.
- South Carolina: Conway and Cross each recorded 6 inches.
- North Carolina: Kill Devil Hills measured 9 inches.
- Virginia: Norview reported 4.1 inches.
Chilling Temperatures Add to the Historic Event
The snowfall was accompanied by frigid temperatures that set records of their own. In Acadiana, Louisiana, temperatures plummeted to 3°F, the lowest since records began in 1893. This exceptional cold was driven by an Arctic air mass that moved southward from Canada’s Yukon Territory.
The Science Behind the Storm
Such a rare and extreme storm required a perfect alignment of meteorological factors. The unusually cold air, fueled by a displaced lobe of the polar vortex, combined with a strong atmospheric disturbance moving southward from Canada. This disturbance caused air to rise, cool, and condense into precipitation along the Gulf Coast.
While it’s uncommon for cold air outbreaks to coincide with precipitation-friendly patterns in this region, this week’s storm saw these two factors align in dramatic fashion.
The Role of Climate and the Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico played a crucial role in fueling the storm. Despite the cold conditions, the Gulf’s waters remained warmer than average for January, contributing to the record-breaking snowfall. Warmer sea temperatures, a symptom of Earth’s ongoing warming trend, provided additional atmospheric moisture that enhanced the storm’s intensity.
Last year was the warmest year on record globally, with record-high sea surface temperatures, including in the Gulf of Mexico. These long-term warming trends underline the complex relationship between climate change and extreme weather events.
Snowfall Totals and Records by State
As of early Wednesday, the storm’s impact continued to unfold, with snowfall records being verified across the region. Some of the most notable include:
- Louisiana: New Orleans (airport) recorded 8 inches; Lafayette saw 9 inches.
- Alabama: Mobile measured 7.5 inches.
- Florida: Milton’s 9.8 inches likely set a new state record.
- Georgia: Camilla reported 8 inches.
More snowfall records may emerge as additional data is confirmed.
Unforgettable Winter Scenes
The storm left an indelible mark on the region. Snow-covered beaches, impromptu snowball fights, and skiers gliding down Bourbon Street were sights few had ever imagined.
A Storm for the Record Books
Tuesday’s snowstorm will go down in history as one of the most unusual and impactful winter weather events in the Gulf Coast and Southeast. While it may take days to fully assess the storm’s records and ramifications, one thing is certain: this storm was a testament to the unpredictable and powerful forces of nature.
