Historic Winter Storm Enzo Blankets Gulf Coast with Record Snowfall

NEW ORLEANS, La. – Winter Storm Enzo unleashed a rare and historic snowfall across the Gulf Coast this week, shattering records and disrupting daily life from Louisiana to Florida. The storm, which began Monday, brought unprecedented snow totals to cities unaccustomed to such wintry conditions, including New Orleans, where 8 inches of snow fell – the heaviest in modern records dating back to 1948.

In New Orleans, the snow transformed iconic landmarks like Bourbon Street and Cafe Du Monde into winter wonderlands. Streetcars and palm trees were blanketed in white, while residents and tourists alike marveled at the rare sight. “It’s surreal to see snow here,” said local resident Marie LeBlanc. “We’re used to Mardi Gras colors, not snowflakes.”

Florida also saw record-breaking snowfall, with Milton reporting 8.8 inches – surpassing the previous state record of 4 inches set in 1954. Pensacola recorded 7.6 inches, its heaviest snowfall since the late 1800s. Snowplows, rarely seen in the region, were deployed to clear roads as travel was severely impacted.

In Texas, the Houston metro area received up to 4.2 inches of snow, while Brownsville, near the Mexican border, saw its first snowfall in decades. Galveston Island experienced a once-in-two-decades event, with snow covering its beaches and palm trees. “It’s like a postcard,” said Galveston resident David Jackson. “Snow on the beach is something you never expect to see here.”

Louisiana and Mississippi were not spared, with southern Louisiana receiving 8-10 inches of snow and Biloxi, Mississippi, recording up to 9 inches. Mobile, Alabama, saw 7.5 inches, its highest snowfall since the late 1800s. Near-blizzard conditions were reported in New Orleans, with wind gusts exceeding 45 mph at Lakefront Airport.

The National Weather Service issued its first-ever blizzard warning for southwest Louisiana and extreme southeast Texas, highlighting the storm’s historic nature. “This is a once-in-a-generation event for the Gulf Coast,” said meteorologist John Smith. “The combination of heavy snow and strong winds created near-blizzard conditions in areas that rarely see snow.”

As the storm moves east, temperatures across the region are expected to rise, with warmer weather returning by the weekend. However, the memory of Winter Storm Enzo will linger, as Gulf Coast residents reflect on a winter event unlike any other in recent history.