The high temperature hit 41 degrees for the Big Easy, more than 20 degrees below the date's average temperature of 69 degrees. It rests two degrees above the coldest high temperature on record for a Mardi Gras, which was 39 degrees on Feb. 14, 1899.

In past years when Fat Tuesday fell on March 4, the temperature was typically in the 60s or even high 70s. The previous coldest high for the celebrations on this date was 56 degrees in 1939.

After a cold front brought a few showers and colder weather to New Orleans on Monday, rain made a quick return just in time for Mardi Gras celebrations.