Does it snow in New Orleans? What we know as storm blankets city with snow, prompts curfews

New Orleans residents woke to an unusual morning on Tuesday as a rare snowstorm swept the Gulf Coast city. The once-in-a-lifetime squall, which shattered the city's single-day snowfall record, left many iconic locations covered in inches of snow.

Places like Bourbon Street and the Superdome were left blanketed in a pristine layer of white, creating a surreal winterscape that residents quickly captured in photos and videos. Sights of indulgent snow fights in an otherwise blistering city add a rare moment of winter charm to the city’s iconic streets.

One such moment was shared by a user on X (formerly Twitter):

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Does it snow in New Orleans?

While it may have last snowed in the Big Easy in 2009, major roads, schools, and businesses are expected to remain closed through at least midday Thursday due to yesterday's blizzard.

Additionally, this snowstorm marks the first instance of the National Weather Service (NWS) issuing a blizzard warning for Louisiana. For those unfamiliar, a blizzard warning is issued for storms with sustained winds of at least 35 mph and visibility reduced to less than a quarter mile for a minimum of three hours due to blowing snow.

New Orleans city officials have also warned residents about the coming days of near-freezing temperatures and increasingly icy conditions.

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An unexpected feat

Yesterday’s snowstorm had the city of New Orleans level a nearly 130-year-old record. With a documented snowfall of 10 inches in the southern region, the city tied with its record set way back in February of 1895.

The blizzard also shattered a record set in December 1963, when 2.7 inches of snow was recorded at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, NWS reported. The airport had recorded almost eight inches of snow before the day ended. It last snowed in the Big Easy back in 2009.

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What caused the blizzard?

Tuesday's snowstorm was driven by Arctic air and a moisture-rich low-pressure system originating from the Gulf of Mexico. The city, unaccustomed to such conditions, now faces the possibility of residents being snowed in until at least Thursday, as stated by city officials. This rare weather event has disrupted daily life, leaving locals to navigate icy roads, closed schools, and businesses while bracing for continued cold temperatures and potential additional challenges.