A historic snowstorm covered the Mississippi Coast in a thick blanket of soft, powdery snow on Tuesday, turning the beaches, palm trees and bayous into a winter wonderland the likes of which haven’t been seen in the area for decades.
The snowstorm froze South Mississippi, closing businesses, schools and roads, but also brought with it a very unique change of scenery.
As the snow stopped and the sun came out on Wednesday, Mississippians stepped out to enjoy what could be a once-in-a-lifetime event for some.
During Tuesday’s storm and Wednesdays aftermath, the Sun Herald photographed the landmarks and scenery. Here’s what we saw.
A most unusual sight: The Welcome to the Mississippi Gulf Coast surrounded by snow Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Snow remains in Biloxi on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, the day after a rare snowstorm blanketed South Mississippi. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Pedestrians walk through the snow along the Fort Bayou Bridge during a winter storm on the Mississippi Coast on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
A tiny snowman enjoys the view Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Gulfport. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Snow accumulates on cars in Ocean Springs on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Stephanie Crow puts the finishing touches on a snowman Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Gulfport. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Cars drive along Highway 90 in Ocean Springs during a winter storm on the Mississippi Coast on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Snow is piled up Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Gulfport. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Clint Herring prepares to ski down the Fort Bayou Bridge during a winter storm on the Mississippi Coast on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
A lone driver braves the elements on I-10 Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, during a rare South Mississippi winter storm. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
The Orman family (Erica, Michael, Lakelynn and Wesley), built a snowman Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, on Biloxi Beach. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Instead of footprints in the sand, a visitor left footprints in the snow Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, on Biloxi Beach. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Andrew and Hannah Elliott enjoyed one of the rarest experiences in Biloxi on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025: A snowball fight on the beach. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Snow falls in Ocean Springs on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Snow that begain early in the morning Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, was still coming down at 4:30 p.m. across the Mississippi Coast. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Police close off the Ocean Springs-Biloxi bridge due to snow on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
There were no takers for snow volleyball Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, a day after a rare snowstorm buried South Mississippi. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Jennifer Wright stands on the Fort Bayou Bridge during a winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, and shows a photo of her daughter, Emily, during a winter storm in 1996. Wright says the photo is the last time before Tuesday she’s seen snow on the Mississippi Coast. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Cars drive along Highway 90 in Gulfport on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
A man walks through the snow along the Fort Bayou Bridge during a winter storm on the Mississippi Coast on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
A woman walks her dogs in the snow at Gulfport East Beach on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
A rare scene in South Mississippi: Snowfall accumulating at the beach. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Roads across South Mississippi were treacherous Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, the courtesy of a rare winter storm. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Snow and boats are an unusual combination in South Mississippi. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Attempting to keep the roads clear across South Mississippi was a full-time job Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Biloxi Beach made for a picturesque scene Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Pedestrians walk through the snow along the Fort Bayou Bridge during a winter storm on the Mississippi Coast on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Scenes from the winter storm Jan. 21, 2025, in Gulfport. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
