When you think of New Orleans, images of Mardi Gras beads, vibrant streetcars, and balmy weather might come to mind—not exactly a winter wonderland. But every so often, the Crescent City defies expectations and gets a taste of winter magic. This week, snowflakes graced New Orleans, leaving locals awestruck, kids thrilled, and social media buzzing. Let’s take a stroll through the frosty history of snow in New Orleans and compare it to this latest winter surprise.
Snow in New Orleans is the weather equivalent of spotting a unicorn in Jackson Square. The city’s subtropical climate means snowfall is an infrequent guest, with the last significant event occurring back in December 2008. In fact, since 1852, there have been only 17 documented snowfalls in the city, making it an event locals talk about for years.
Most snowfalls have been fleeting—an hour or two of flurries that melt before they can leave a mark. But occasionally, the city gets a true winter wonder.
This week, on January 21 and 22, temperatures dipped below freezing, creating perfect conditions for a light snowfall. Meteorologists reported an official accumulation of 0.5 inches across most of the city, with higher totals nearing 10 inches. Snow was seen gently dusting rooftops, car hoods, and even a few palm trees. While it may not sound impressive to someone from New York looking for a tropical escape such as myself, for New Orleanians, it was enough to inspire snowball fights, creative snowmen (some with Mardi Gras beads for flair), and countless photos flooding Instagram.
City officials even temporarily closed several bridges, reminding locals that while snow is beautiful, it also makes for slippery travel on roads unaccustomed to icy conditions.
The most famous snowfall in New Orleans history, prior to the reality we just lived, occurred on February 14, 1895, when a staggering 8.2 inches blanketed the city. Locals at the time were both enchanted and bewildered—many had never seen snow before, let alone enough to cover the city in a thick white layer. Old newspaper clippings describe residents building massive snowmen and children sledding down small inclines in the French Quarter.
Another memorable event happened on December 31, 1963, when the city welcomed the new year with about 4.5 inches of snow. Imagine ringing in midnight with fireworks and snow-covered streets—a true rarity!
The more recent December 2008 snowfall brought 1-2 inches of accumulation and shut down schools and highways. For those who were in town, it was said to have felt like a scene out of a Hallmark movie.
Unlike cities that shrug off snow as part of winter, New Orleans treats it like an impromptu holiday. Schools close, families gather to snap photos, and locals scramble to find gloves, hats, and scarves that have been hiding in storage for years.
One of the most heartwarming sights this week was children playing in City Park, marveling at the snow-covered oaks. In Uptown, neighbors gathered for snowball fights, while in the French Quarter, a few tourists lucked out with an unexpected (and magical) backdrop for their trips as locals skied down Bourbon. And of course, no snowfall in New Orleans would be complete without snowmen decorated with beads, fleur-de-lis scarves, and Saints caps.
This snowfall was more than a weather anomaly—it was a reminder of New Orleans’ ability to embrace the unexpected. Whether it’s hurricanes, heat waves, or a sudden snowstorm, the city knows how to adapt and celebrate life’s surprises
So, while snowflakes may not define New Orleans, when they do make an appearance, they bring a special kind of joy. Until the next rare flurry, we’ll keep sipping our café au lait, celebrating Carnival season, and enjoying the warmth of this one-of-a-kind city.
