National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

 

December 11, 2008 Snow

 

 

12/11/08 Snow Map 12/11/08 Snow Reports

 

click on map for larger image

A cold upper level low pressure system moved across Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana during the 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.  Snow lasted for several hours, with numerous reports of large snowflakes to the size of half dollars, along with a few reports of thundersnow - lightning and thunder occurring during a snowstorm.  When all was said and done, snowfall totals anywhere from a trace up to 6 inches were seen across the area. 

Snowfall is rare across Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana, and when snow does fall little or no ground accumulation typically occurs.  Therefore, this event easily set numerous snowfall records:

 

Beaumont/Port Arthur
 

Earliest measurable snowfall on record for the fall/winter season (previous record: 12/22/89)

 

All-time record snowfall total (1.8") for the month of December (previous record: 0.7" on 12/22/89)

 

Only second time in history measurable snow has occurred in December

Lake Charles
 

Earliest measurable snowfall on record for the fall/winter season (previous record: 12/22/89)

 

All-time record snowfall total (0.4") for the month of December (previous record: 0.2" on 12/22/89)

 

Only second time in history measurable snow has occurred in December

Lafayette
 

First measurable snowfall ever recorded in December

 

All-time record snowfall total (1.0") for the month of December (previous record: 0.0")

New Iberia
 

Earliest measurable snowfall on record for the fall/winter season (previous record: 12/22/89)

 

All-time record snowfall total (0.8") for the month of December (previous record: 0.5" on 12/22/89)

 

Only second time in history measurable snow has occurred in December

 

 

12/11/08 Snow Reports

TEXAS LOUISIANA
Winnie 5.5" Opelousas 6.0"
Lumberton 4.0" Washington 6.0"
West Beaumont 4.0" Ville Platte 5.0"
Woodville 3.0" Vidrine 4.0"
Beaumont 2.5" Eunice 3.0"
Wildwood 2.2" Oakdale 3.0"
Groves 2.0" Church Point 2.5"
Silsbee 2.0" Forest Hill 2.0"
SE TX Regional Airport 1.8" De Quincy 1.5"
Nederland 1.0" Vinton 1.5"
Orange 1.0" Bunkie 1.3"
Port Neches 1.0" Elmer 1.2"
Jasper 0.5" Moss Bluff 1.2"
Snowflake image Bell City 1.0"
Deridder 1.0"
Jennings 1.0"
Lafayette 1.0"
Lake Arthur 1.0"
Sam Houston Jones SP 1.0"
Sulphur 1.0"
Woodworth 1.0"
New Iberia 0.8"
Abbeville 0.5"
L.C. Salt Water Barrier 0.4"
Lake Charles 0.4"
Leesville 0.2"
Alexandria 911 Center T

 

12/11/08 Snow Pictures
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NWS Lake Charles
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Calcasieu Parish

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Beauregard Parish

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Allen Parish

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Evangeline Parish (Ville Platte area, courtesy of KALB-TV)

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Lafayette Parish (Carencro area, courtesy of KLFY-TV)

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