Snow is pretty rare in Mississippi. And blizzards in Mississippi? Well, they’re practically non-existent, but they do hit the Magnolia State from time to time. The worst blizzard in Mississippi history was the Great Blizzard of 1899. Dubbed “the Snow King,” it hit the U.S. between February 12th and 14th, bringing with it freezing temperatures and plenty of snow and ice. To this day, it remains not only one of the worst blizzards in Mississippi, but the worst to ever hit the U.S.

A massive storm, the Great Blizzard of 1899 affected a huge portion of North America – from Saskatchewan, Canada all the way down to Cuba!
U.S. Weather Bureau
In addition to Snow King and Great Blizzard of 1899, the blizzard is also known as the Great Arctic Outbreak of 1899.
It all began when an extremely cold air mass travelled south from Canada. The west coast was the first in the country to feel the frigid effects of the storm. And from there, it snowballed.
HappyMario64/YouTube
With it, the storm brought record low temperatures to much of the country. In Aberdeen, Mississippi temperatures plummeted to -15 degrees! On Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, temperatures dropped to just 1 degree.
floridamemory.com/Wikimedia
Even Florida got snow. The above photo shows government officials in Tallahassee, Florida, having a snowball fight on the stairs of the Florida State Capitol.

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The blizzard caused small icebergs to form in the Mississippi River, stopping boats in their tracks. Over on the Gulf Coast, the bays and parts of the Mississippi sound were frozen solid.
HappyMario64/YouTube
According to the Sun Herald, "... Both the front and back bays were frozen out a distance of several hundred feet and of sufficient thickness to bear the weight of a strong man."
Gulf Coast residents were far from prepared for the blizzard. The day before the storm hit, the newspaper printed a weather prediction, which read "Fair except snow or rain; continued cold, fresh to brisk northerly winds."
HappyMario64/YouTube
Between the unprecedented temperatures and lack of preparation, the situation quickly turned dire for Gulf Coast residents. Coal supplies dwindled, gas lines malfunctioned, and pipes froze.
Though more than 100 years have passed since the Great Blizzard of 1899, it remains one of the most notorious winter storms in history.
HappyMario64/YouTube
Part of the reason the blizzard is so notable is because it brought freezing temperatures to southern states that, for the most part, were used to pretty mild winters. There’s also the fact that the blizzard brought record low temperatures to most of the country – many of which still stand to this day.

Check out the video below to see more photos from the blizzard.

Can you imagine this brutal winter in Mississippi?!

And while this remains the worst blizzard in Mississippi history, it’s not the only blizzard in the state’s past. Click here to read about another extremely cold winter in Mississippi.

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Worst Blizzard In Mississippi History

Daniella DiRienzo | October 05, 2021

Were there any other history-making blizzards in Mississippi?

There have been a handful of blizzards in Mississippi throughout the years; however, the Southern Ice Storm remains one of the worst blizzards in Mississippi history. The blizzard struck in February of 1994, relentlessly pelting the south with immense amounts of ice. Unlike most blizzards, it didn’t result in a record snowfall in Mississippi. However, that doesn’t mean it was without repercussions. More than 80,000 utility poles collapsed under the weight of the ice dropped by the storm, leaving thousands of people without power for extended periods of time.

What are some fun things to do during winter in Mississippi?

Since the season is pretty mild compared to most places, outdoor activities a great way to spend winter in Mississippi. The cooler temperatures provide the perfect opportunity to explore some of the state’s best sites, including Tishomingo State Park. Not only is it one of the top parks in Mississippi, but it’s one of the best parks in the nation! It’s revered for its towering rock formations, which can’t be found anywhere else in Mississippi. And because it’s located in the state’s northern region, snow is a common occurrence – only adding to the reasons winter is a great time to visit.

Aside from the worst blizzard in Mississippi history, what’s another unforgettable natural disaster in Mississippi?

Mississippi is no stranger to natural disasters. Throughout the years, the Magnolia State has faced its fair share of tornadoes, floods, and, of course, hurricanes. The state’s deadliest natural disaster, though, is Hurricane Katrina, which struck the Gulf Coast of the United States on August 29, 2005. A Category 3 at landfall, Hurricane Katrina brought with it sustained winds of 100-140 MPH. When all was said and done, the hurricane claimed the lives of more than 200 Mississippians.

 

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