Winter Weather — Lower St. Martin, Louisiana

2008-12-11 · Lower St. Martin, Louisiana

Wider weather episode

A cold upper level low pressure system moved across southwest Louisiana during the early morning hours of December 11, 2008. As cold air aloft associated with this system interacted with widespread rainfall ongoing over the area, precipitation began mixing with sleet and snow, and eventually changed over to all snow in many locations. This rare snow event lasted from 5 to 7 hours, with numerous reports of large snowflakes to the size of half dollars, along with a few reports of thundersnow. Snow totals ranged from a trace or less across far northern areas of central Louisiana and along the coast, to over 6 inches in portions of St. Landry Parish.

Snow totals across central Louisiana included 0.2 inches in Leesville, a trace in Alexandria, 1.2 inches in Elmer, 1 inch in Woodworth, 2 inches in Forest Hill, 1.3 inches in Bunkie, 1 inch in De Ridder, 2 inches in Ragley, 3 inches in Oakdale, 3 inches in Eunice, 4 inches in Vidrine, 5 inches in Ville Platte, 6 inches in Washington, and 6 inches in Opelousas.

Snow totals across southwest and south central Louisiana included 1.5 inches in Vinton, 1.2 inches in Moss Bluff, 0.4 inches in Lake Charles, 1 inch in Bell City, 2 inches in Welsh, 1 inch in Jennings, 2.5 inches in Church Point, 2 inches in Carencro, 1 inch in Lafayette, 0.5 inches in Abbeville, and 0.8 inches in New Iberia.

For Lake Charles, this was the earliest measurable snowfall on record for the fall/winter season. The previous earliest snowfall was on December 22, 1989. This snow event also set the all-time record snowfall total for the month of December, with 0.4 inches recorded. The previous record of 0.2 inches was set on December 22, 1989. Finally, this was only the second time in history measurable snow has occurred in the month of December.

For Lafayette, this was the first measurable snowfall ever recorded in the month of December. Thus, this snow event set the all-time record snowfall total for December, with 1 inch measured.

For New Iberia, this was the earliest measurable snowfall on record for the fall/winter season. The previous earliest snowfall was on December 22, 1989. This snow event also set the all-time record snowfall total for the month of December, with 0.8 inches measured. The previous record was 0.5 inches set on December 22, 1989. Finally, this is only the second time in history measurable snow has occurred in the month of December.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 148046. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.