Southeast Louisiana experienced an unforgettable weather event on January 21, 2025. A snowstorm covered the region, bringing unusually heavy snowfall. Parts of Louisiana experienced between 4-8 inches of snowfall, with some areas receiving more than 11 inches of snow. 

WDSU predicted that southeast Louisiana would receive 6-10 inches of snow. This snowstorm brought record-breaking temperatures to the south, and Baton Rouge and other parts of Louisiana experienced their largest snowfall in over a century. 

The National Weather Service reported 7.6 inches, which broke the previous record of 6.5 inches set on February 15, 1895. This caused schools to shut down, which the kids weren’t complaining about while they were playing in the snow. Many local residents had never experienced snow before, which made this historic snowstorm very memorable. 

The snowstorm approached Louisiana after a noticeably warm weekend, with a high of 78 degrees. Late Saturday Evening, temperatures rapidly dropped, with a cold front pushing through. This led to a temperature drop to 31 degrees on Sunday morning.

On Monday, January 20, 2025, Baton Rouge had a low of 24 degrees. This caused many ice roads to shut down, shutting down most of the state. Due to Louisiana’s geographical location, many residents weren’t expecting this much snow, and the state as a whole was simply not prepared. Frigid and dry air from the Arctic crossed the Gulf Coast before the winter storm that brought several inches of snow.

On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, snowfall began, covering trees and roads with inches of snow. City, parish, and state officials recommended residents stay home and even ordered curfews as a safety precaution. Louisiana residents stuck at home made the best of the rare weather. With many people not prepared for this weather, food and water could be issues for some. 

Saint Paul’s Secretary Monica Kelsey enjoyed the time off from school and loved seeing snow cover her neighborhood. “It was really great to have time off from school and spend time with my family while not having to worry about significant damage to my house as we would with hurricanes.” 

With major interstates and highways closed statewide, residents couldn’t drive anywhere, and those who could, state officials announced, “Only drive if you have to and proceed with caution.” Since Louisiana has never received this much snow, residents weren’t sure what the roads would be like or what driving conditions would be like. 

As of Tuesday afternoon, officials reported roughly 50 car accidents and warned drivers to stay off the road if possible. During a press conference, Gov. Jeff Landry warned residents not to get distracted by the “winter wonderland.” Temperatures were expected to drop to single digits, which can cause power outages and water pipes to burst without being fixed for several days.

Covering pipes and adequately preparing your home for sub-zero freezing temperatures is important. Without the proper precautions, damages can become very serious and expensive. Saint Paul’s freshman science teacher Gene Lipps loved to watch the snowfall and see how peaceful the snow really was. “It was dream-like,” Lipps stated. 

Saint Paul’s campus was covered in snow, and it was prettier than anticipated. Like other schools, the school was closed on Monday due to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Then, the school was closed from Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, through Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, following St. Tammany Parish School Board decisions and other schools statewide. 

Although students and parents weren’t expecting to be isolated for an entire week, they made the best of their time at home. Many students living near campus visited the school to view the beautiful snow covering Saint Paul’s 40-acre campus. 

Saint Paul’s Principal Lee Pierre benefited from the time off and became closer to his family. “During this unprecedented snow event, my family really enjoyed the ability to experience an event that doesn’t happen locally very often,” Pierre reminisced.

This very memorable snowstorm will be mentioned for the next decade. Some people enjoyed it more than others; however, everyone had time off and had the chance to enjoy the weather that Louisiana residents rarely get to see. 

Featured Image Photo Credit: French Quarter Journal @Shawn Fink