# Travel >> Types of Travel >> Ski Trips

Has It Ever Snowed in New Orleans? Rare Events, Records & Why It's So Unusual

Yes—snow has fallen in New Orleans, but it's a rare, headline-making event. Since reliable records began (1890s), the city has seen measurable snow (≥0.1 in) only ~20 times; ≥1 inch accumulations are exceedingly few.

Notable Snowfalls

Date	Amount	Notes
14–15 Feb 1895	8.2–10+ in	Historic Gulf Coast blizzard; all-time record.
31 Dec 1963	4.5 in	Major event; paralyzed city for days.
22 Dec 1989	1–2 in	Pre-Christmas freeze; widespread power outages.
11 Dec 2008	~1 in	Most recent measurable snow; earliest in season.
14–15 Feb 2021	Trace–0.5 in	Part of historic Winter Storm Uri.

Why So Rare?

Latitude (29.95°N) & Gulf moisture → winter temps usually 40s–60s°F.
Cold-air requirement: Needs deep Arctic plunge + upper-level disturbance + Gulf moisture—rare alignment.
Urban heat island & river warmth further suppress accumulation.

Impacts

Even ½ inch paralyzes the region: no snowplows, no salt stockpiles, drivers unprepared, bridges ice over, power grid strains. Schools/government close; economy halts.