Southern Louisiana Snowfall 2008

Lafayette, Louisiana is a booming oil driven city just 25 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico. This city is known for its spicy Cajun foods, French heritage, and warm weather. The natives of the city have only seen snowfall a handful of times, with the most recent account being in 2004 when slight flurries fell on the bayou on Christmas Day. The last measurable amount of snow in the southern parts of Louisiana was almost 20 years ago in 1989. December 11, 2008 now has a place in the record book for being the earliest snowfall of the season ever in southern Louisiana history.

When residents of the pelican state awoke Thursday morning they were in awe of the large snowfall accumulating outside their windows. Many of the children had never seen snow before and were anxious to go outside for a closer look. While many schools in Lafayette Parish remained open, numerous children were given the opportunity to stay home and enjoy this rare happening. Families took photos and even recorded the snowy event that is not predicted to happen again any time soon to save the memorable day.

Most drivers in Lafayette, Louisiana are not experienced with snowy or icy roads, so many accidents were reported throughout the morning. The city does not own salt trucks or snow plows, because of the rare occurrence of snow and ice, so police were asking the community to stay off the roads until conditions improved. Only one accident that occurred from the weather that was reported resulted in a death, in Hamilton, Alabama. Several roads and bridges were closed until the snow diminished, including Interstate 10 from Atchafalaya Bridge to Lafayette Louisiana Airport. Many people of southern Louisiana, the majority being in the New Orleans area, were left without power when large branches snapped from the weight of the snow and landed on electrical lines. The snow started to fall around 3 o'clock a.m. in Lafayette, and didn't stop until almost 7 o'clock a.m. Acadians experienced 2 to 3 inches of snow, that melted quickly as the temperature warmed. The snow was gone by noon, but residents had made life long memories.

So why so much snow, so far south? Many suggest that global warming played a role in Thursday's snowfall across southern Louisiana. Others believe it was just plain luck! Children know it was an early Christmas present from Santa; straight from the North Pole.

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