Weather
Mississippi Snow Records Reveal the State's Biggest Winter Storms
Jackson, MS – Mississippi has experienced winter storms capable of dumping 18 inches of snow in a single day, with historic accumulations affecting communities from the northern hills to the Gulf Coas
By Cole Barrett · 2026-10-21T12:53:42.631Z
Jackson, MS – Mississippi has experienced winter storms capable of dumping 18 inches of snow in a single day, with historic accumulations affecting communities from the northern hills to the Gulf Coast. As winter 2026 27 approaches, those records demonstrate why even relatively mild winters can still produce dangerous snowfall.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Mount Pleasant in Marshall County recorded 18 inches of snow Dec. 23, 1963, one of the highest single day measurements in the supplied Mississippi county records. Tunica also recorded 18 inches during that storm, which affected numerous counties across the state.
Mississippi's 10 Biggest Distinct Single Day Snowfall Events The following list identifies the highest one day measurements from 10 distinct storm dates or periods represented in NOAA's county level records. Multiple counties reporting snowfall during the same event are grouped together.
1. Dec. 23, 1963: Mount Pleasant, Marshall County — 18.0 inches . Tunica also recorded 18 inches, while Lake Cormorant reported 15 inches. 2. Jan. 1, 1964: Enterprise, Clarke County — 15.0 inches . Numerous counties reported significant snowfall, including Wayne County with 16 inches. 3. Jan. 17, 1893: Booneville, Prentiss County — 14.0 inches 4. March 22, 1968: Sledge, Quitman County — 14.0 inches . Sarah in Panola County recorded 13 inches. 5. Jan. 29, 1966: Cleveland, Bolivar County — 12.0 inches 6. March 13, 1924: Kosciusko, Attala County — 11.0 inches 7. Jan. 22, 2025: Waveland, Hancock County — 10.5 inches . Gulf Coast communities experienced rare heavy snowfall. 8. Jan. 23, 1940: Natchez, Adams County — 9.5 inches . Several other counties recorded significant accumulations. 9. Jan. 7, 1988: Corinth, Alcorn County — 9.2 inches 10. Jan. 10, 2011: Abbeville, Lafayette County — 9.0 inches Why Mississippi's Snowfall History Matters Mississippi's location along the Gulf Coast creates a climate where significant snowfall is uncommon, particularly across southern portions of the state.
However, powerful winter systems can occasionally bring Arctic air deep into the Southeast while moisture rich storms move across the region.
The December 1963 storm demonstrated how widespread extreme snowfall can become, while the January 2025 event highlighted the potential for unusually heavy snow along the Gulf Coast.
Even relatively small accumulations can create dangerous travel conditions in communities with limited snow removal equipment.
What Could This Mean for Winter 2026 27? El Niño can influence winter temperatures, precipitation and storm tracks across the southeastern United States. However, warmer seasonal conditions do not eliminate the possibility of significant snowfall.
When Arctic air reaches Mississippi while moisture rich systems move across the Gulf Coast, substantial snowfall can occur even during an otherwise mild winter.
Historical records cannot predict whether winter 2026 27 will bring another major snowstorm. They demonstrate that a single powerful weather system can create dangerous travel conditions and widespread disruptions.
For Mississippi residents, the lesson is clear: One major winter storm can still deliver extraordinary snowfall, regardless of the season's overall temperature trend.