Winter storm brings record snow to parts of Florida

MIAMI – A large and historic one winter storm slammed it Florida Panhandle Tuesday with widespread record snowfall.

The snow moved out of Louisiana, with New Orleans breaking their all-time snowfall record by several inches. Some parishes reported double-digit snowfall. A rare winter storm warning continues for northern Florida through tomorrow, with another 2-4 inches possible.

Along with the snow, a mix of sleet and freezing rain was expected in the Jacksonville metro area, where they should watch for ice accumulations of up to a tenth of an inch in some places.

The threat of winter weather will end across the state of Florida by Wednesday with a gradual warming.

Along with the snow, a mix of sleet and freezing rain was expected in the Jacksonville metro area, where they should watch for ice accumulations of up to a tenth of an inch in some places.

The threat of winter weather will end for the state of Florida by mid-morning Wednesday.

How much snow does Florida get?

NEXT Weather Chief Ivan Cabrera said some areas in the Panhandle recorded over half a foot of snow, shattering long-standing snow records. “This storm is unprecedented in its breadth and scope; we just don’t have anything to compare it to. This will go down in history as the Gulf Blizzard of 2025.

DeSantis’ Florida Emergency Declaration

On Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency for the northern part of the state, saying “all forms of hazardous winter weather will be likely, including snow, sleet and freezing rain.”

Earlier Monday, House of Representatives Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton spoke canceled scheduled legislative committee meetings for the week due to the expected weather conditions in Tallahassee.

Snow in Miami

While South Florida will be too far south to experience snow from this system, we have seen snow before. Almost five decades ago we had our first and only snowfall recorded in South Florida on January 19, 1977.

Snow fell as far south as Homestead, and even flakes fell on the sandy shores of Miami Beach.

The next day The Miami Herald’s read: “The day it snowed in Miami.”

South Florida residents, young and old, couldn’t believe their eyes and still remember where they were the day it snowed.

It wasn’t just fun and silly winter jokes though. The cold front that brought the snow also brought cold temperatures that caused severe damage to Florida’s crops.

The state’s citrus and vegetable industries were nearly wiped out, and about 150,000 migrant workers lost their jobs in the state — including 80,000 in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach. The then government. Reubin Askew declared a state of emergency.

In January 2010, a very severe cold snap hit South Florida, and there were reports of snow showers in Miami-Dade and Broward as temperatures reached 35 degrees. The National Weather Service announced these reports, but they were not officially confirmed.

Connection to climate change

Although it may seem counterintuitive, these extreme weather events may occur more frequently as the planet warms.

The pressure differences between cold Arctic air and warm air to the south generate a powerful ring of winds called the Polar Jetstream. This is our natural protection against arctic air invasions towards the equator.

When you warm the Arctic, these pressure differences are not so great. This results in a slower and more undulating jet that allows arctic air to fall as far south as Florida. This alone does not produce snow, but in this perfect scenario, moisture exceeding the cold air turned an otherwise rainy day into a historic snow event.