Heavy snowfall is expected across Louisiana and Mississippi on January 21, with forecasts predicting 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 inches) in northern areas including Morganza, Centreville, McComb, and Baton Rouge. Areas further south including Gulfport, Pascagoula, and New Orleans, may receive up to 7.5 cm (3 inches) of snow.
“Snowfall across the area on Tuesday has the potential to be the highest we have seen in this area in decades,” forecasters at the NWS New Orleans office said.
The most significant snowfall event recorded in the region occurred between February 14 and 15, 1895, when Baton Rouge received 31.8 cm (12.5 inches). Gulfport’s highest total on record was 17.8 cm (7.0 inches) on December 31, 1963, while McComb’s heaviest snowfall reached 12.7 cm (5.0 inches) on December 8, 2017. New Orleans recorded its highest snowfall on December 31, 1963, with 6.9 cm (2.7 inches).
Ice accumulation is also a concern with a light glaze of less than 2.5 mm (0.1 inches) expected in areas southwest of the tidal lakes and along the coast. The highest snow totals are forecast during daylight hours on January 21.
