Snow in the state of Louisiana presents a rare and unique problem to southern states. When snow pushes into the southern region of Louisiana, extreme weather conditions for the area must be present, usually a low-pressure system coupled with extremely low temperatures.[1] Average snowfall in Louisiana is approximately .20 inches per year, a low figure rivaled only by the states of Florida and Hawaii.[2] Due to the infrequency of these cold weather patterns[3] , southern areas affected in this state are often unprepared to deal with slick streets and freezing temperatures.
Events
Lake Charles, Louisiana in 1895.Southeast region snowfall on Christmas Day 2004.
1899: With the Great Blizzard of 1899, snowfall in New Orleans reached 3.8" with strong winds and temperatures below 10 degrees Fahrenheit.[4]
2004: The 2004 Christmas Eve snowstorm swept across southern Texas and Louisiana, leaving unprecedented amounts of snow in areas that had not seen snow in 15 to 120 years.[5]
2014: The Early 2014 North American cold wave that blew through the eastern portion of the continental United States rained in record low temperatures and brought freezing snow and sleet to Louisiana.[6]
State preparedness
Due to the scarcity of freezing temperatures in Louisiana, many citizens of the region are often left unprepared to handle what may be considered a storm of little consequence in more northern states. The region has developed a system of road and school closures with only minimal snowfall, as most drivers in the area are unprepared to deal with slick, frozen roads.[7][8] In fact, the governor of Louisiana may choose to invoke the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act, R.S. 29:721, allowing him or her to declare a state of emergency due to extreme cold and snow. In 2014, Governor Bobby Jindal did just that in advance of the weather and assembled teams to assist in preparation and recovery.[9]
Louisiana's environment
The state's typically humid subtropical climate rarely encounters precipitation coupled with freezing temperatures. The Gulf of Mexico helps maintain this climate, particularly closer to the coast. The normally extreme summers are rarely countered with winters with snowfall low in intensity and frequency.[10] Average winter temperature normals in southern Louisiana typically vary from the 40s to the 60s. [3] Natural disasters such as hurricanes are far more common, and such an ecosystem is ill prepared for snow, particularly the seafood supply on which Louisiana relies for much of its revenue.[11] Little research has been done directly linking effects on the Louisiana's ecosystem to snow conditions. However, the jet stream that created the 2014 North American cold wave has been linked to global warming,[12] and resultant cold fronts have been linked to salt-water intrusion in Louisiana's Atchafalaya Bay.[13] However, one of Louisiana's most famous animals, alligators, have proved versatile in adapting to cold weather conditions by burrowing in "alligator holes" which are usually purposed for waiting out a drought.[14] Studies conducted in Finland and Sweden suggest that snow creates more potential problems in urban communities due to increased pollution in runoff. [15][16] Due to the state's lack of resources and funding, however, it is unclear what levels of pollution due to snow affect the Louisiana area.
