does it snow in laurel mississippi

Does it snow in Laurel Mississippi? The weather in Laurel is hot and sticky in the summers and not too cold in the winters.

One thing that makes Laurel really great is that it gets a lot of sunshine. The city receives more sunny days than most places in the country.

But, the real question for many people is, “How often does it snow in Laurel Mississippi? Does it ever snow in Laurel, really? Let’s find out!

No, it does not snow in Laurel, and whatever snow it gets never goes beyond an inch, which is rather insignificant. 

More about the Climate in Laurel

about the climate in laurel

The summer season in Laurel lasts about 4.1 months, from May 21 to September 25.

During this time, the weather is really hot, with temperatures usually above 85°F every day.

July is the hottest month, with an average high of 91°F and a low of 72°F. The winter in Laurel is not that cold either.

Here is more about the average temperatures in Laurel throughout the year:

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Temp47°F51°F58°F65°F72°F78°F80°F80°F75°F65°F56°F50°F

The Impact of Rain

the impact of rain in laurel

Rain is an important part of Laurel’s weather. The place gets more than 50 inches of rain every year, and most of it falls between April and October.

This means that Laurel gets a lot of rain during the warmer months, which helps plants grow and makes the area look really green and beautiful.

Here is more about the average high and low temperatures in Laurel, Mississippi:

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Low39°F42°F48°F55°F62°F69°F72°F71°F66°F55°F47°F41°F
High59°F63°F70°F77°F84°F89°F91°F91°F86°F78°F69°F61°F

Does It Snow in Laurel Mississippi?

Based on data, it seems like Laurel, Mississippi does not usually get snow.

The city usually gets less than an inch of snow each year. The least likely time for rain or snow is usually in the middle of October. 

How Cold Does It Get in Laurel, Mississippi?

In Laurel, Mississippi, the winters are not as cold as in other parts of the United States.

During the colder months, the temperature usually stays around 62°F during the day.

how cold does it get in laurel

It is not very common for the temperature to go below 44°F in Laurel.

This means that even during the coldest time of the year, the daytime temperatures are usually pretty mild.

On January 7th, the temperature is usually the coldest, with an average high of 58°F.

An Important Consideration

During the colder months, the daily low temperatures are usually around 42°F.

It is not very likely for temperatures to go below 25°F, but in Laurel, the winters usually have nighttime temperatures above freezing.

Fact: Winter in Laurel lasts around 2.8 months, starting on November 30 and ending on February 23. 

Comparing Climate in Laurel with the Rest of the US

The weather in Laurel is different from the rest of the United States in a few important ways. The main differences are mostly about how much rain, snow, and sunshine there is. 

The Amount of Rain

the amount of rain in laurel

Laurel, Mississippi gets about 58 inches of rain every year.

This is much more rain than the United States usually gets in a year.

Fact: The heavy rain in Laurel means that the weather in Laurel is more humid than in other places. 

The Amount of Snowfall

It hardly ever snows in Laurel. On average, there is no snow at all throughout the year.

This is very different from the average amount of snow that falls across the whole country, which is about 28 inches each year.

Laurel does not get much snow because of its mild, subtropical climate. This makes it a great place to visit if you do not like cold winters.

the amount of snowfall in laurel

Here is more about how the weather in Laurel compares to the rest of the country:

Climate AveragesUnited StatesLaurel
  Rainfall38.1 in.57.7 in.
  Snowfall27.8 in.0.1 in.
  Precipitation106.2 days98.5 days
  Sunny205 days221 days
  Avg. July High85.8°90.8°
  Avg. Jan. Low21.7°34.6°
  Elevation2443 ft.269 ft.

Why is Snowfall So Rare in Laurel, Mississippi?

In the winter, some places in the northern United States get a lot of snow, but in Laurel, they only get about an inch of snow each year.

There are a few main reasons why this southern city does not snow very often. 

Geographic Location

geographic location of laurel mississippi

One of the main reasons why Laurel does not get much snow is because it is located in the southern part of the country.

Laurel is located at about 31 degrees north latitude, which means it is in the southern part of the United States.

Cities in the Midwest and Northeast that are farther north tend to get more snow on a regular basis.

However, Laurel’s location in the southern part means that it has milder winters with less snow. 

Moderate Climate

moderate climate in mississippi

Laurel is hot and humid in the summers and mild in the winters.

In January, it is possible to have long periods of cold weather that result in snowfall.

Sometimes, when cold air comes from the north, it does not have enough moisture to make it snow in Laurel.

On average, the city gets more rain than snow. However, most of this rain happens when it is warmer outside.   

Lower Elevation

lower elevation of Mississippi

Another reason why Laurel does not get much snow is because it is not very high above the ocean.

Laurel is in southeast Mississippi and is located about 300 feet above the level of the nearby ocean.

It is situated in an area known as the Pine Belt region. Places that are higher up tend to get more snow because it is colder there, making snow easier to form.

In other words, the air close to the ground in Laurel does not usually get cold enough for snow to fall, because it is not very high up.

Fact: Cities located higher than 1,000 feet above sea level usually get more snow. 

Urban Heat Island

the urban heat island

The urban areas in Laurel get really hot because of all the buildings and stuff.

Concrete and asphalt soak up and hold onto more heat from the sun and then slowly release it back into the environment.

That is the reason why the average temperature is several degrees higher in urban areas as compared to the countryside.

And this consistently higher temperature makes it harder for snow to form in Laurel. 

Proximity to the Gulf of Mexico

Even though Laurel is not right by the coast, it still stays warmer in the winter because it is close to the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

The Gulf helps bring in moisture and instability that leads to rainfall in the area.

It also helps prevent really cold weather from happening too often.

When really cold air from the Arctic moves over the warmer waters of the Gulf, it becomes a little less cold before it gets to Mississippi.

laurel's proximity to the gulf of mexico

This helps make the winter weather in the Laurel area less cold.

Fact: Scientists believe that winters in Laurel are going to get warmer because there are more greenhouse gases in the air that trap heat.   

Things to Do in Laurel in Winter

Considering the mild winter in Laurel, so many people choose it to be their favorite holiday destination.

There is so much you can do in Laurel.

For instance:

ActivityDescription
Visit the Lauren Rogers Museum of ArtThey have a bunch of cool American and European art on display, and they change it up every now and then with new exhibitions.
Check out Scotsman General Store and WoodshopIt is in the old downtown area and is a great place for woodworking and finding cool stuff to buy.
Go to the Pearl’s DinerIt is a great place for delicious, traditional comfort food. Whether it is a dish of collard greens with smoked turkey, a comforting bowl of French onion soup, or something else, everything will make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Arrange the Bolton Home Town TourThis guided tour is perfect for people who want to see the inside of some really cool old houses and buildings in the city.
what to do in laurel in winter

Takeaway

Does it snow in Laurel Mississippi? Laurel does not get much snow for a few different reasons.

Because it is in the south, so it does not usually get snow like other places.

The weather in this region does not get cold enough or have enough moisture to make snow all the time.

Still, the mild winters make Laurel a great place to plan your winter vacations.