Key Takeaways 👇

⭐ Florida’s Panhandle saw nearly 10 inches of snow, the most in the state’s history.
⭐ Pensacola and Milton shattered century-old snowfall records.
⭐ A rare winter storm brought snow and icy conditions to the Gulf Coast region.

Can you believe it? Snow in Florida! For the first time in history, the Sunshine State’s Panhandle has been transformed into a winter wonderland, with 9.8 inches of snow recorded in Milton.

This major winter storm has rewritten Florida’s snowfall records and left many Floridians doing double-takes at their snowy surroundings.

What Happened?

The unthinkable became reality this week when northern Florida experienced measurable snowfall.

Social media has been buzzing with photos and videos of snow-covered highways, icy beaches, and even the iconic “Welcome to Florida” sign blanketed in white.

Here are some jaw-dropping stats from the storm:

Milton: A record-breaking 9.8 inches of snow, smashing the previous 4-inch record from 1954.
Pensacola: 7.6 inches of snow, shattering its 130-year-old record of 3 inches set back in 1895.

Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for Northern Florida on Monday, warning residents about hazardous winter weather, including snow, sleet, and freezing rain.

The snowstorm, which began earlier this week, is expected to wrap up by late Wednesday.

NEW: Florida broke their state snow record from the historic winter storm on Tuesday. New totals are in and Milton received 9.8", more than double the old record of 4" from 1954 (in also Milton). For many areas, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience they'll never forget.… pic.twitter.com/f7Q8ftlXiR
— Matt Devitt (@MattDevittWX) January 22, 2025

Why Did Florida Get So Much Snow?

This rare snowfall event was caused by a historic winter storm that swept through the Gulf Coast.

The storm brought record-breaking snow to cities across Texas and Louisiana before making its way to Florida. Southern Louisiana even received its first-ever blizzard warning!

When Was the Last Time Florida Saw Snow?

While light snow flurries were reported in 2022, Northern Florida hasn’t experienced snow of this magnitude since 2018.

Before that, the region’s most notable winter storm was in 1989, when snow barely accumulated.

What Does It Mean for Floridians?

For many, this snowfall is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Families are building snowmen, snapping photos of snow-covered palm trees, and marveling at Florida’s new look.

However, the storm has also created challenges, with icy roads and power outages reported across the region.

If you’re in Northern Florida, stay warm and stay safe!