But when was the last time there was snow on the ground in all fifty states—even our most tropical destinations, Florida and Hawaii? Roche, Cathy Steele (January 19, 1977). “It was a lot of fun," Meyers said about her experience having a snowball fight with her friends. With Florida winters rarely making it below even the 40s, it’s hard to believe that it ever snowed in Central Florida — but it did 43 years ago. Sandi Beam Meyers said she remembers scraping snow off car windshields to make snowballs with her friends after class at what was then FTU. February 12, 2010: Portions of northwestern Florida experience snowfall totals of around 1 in (25 mm). December 8–9, 2017: Snow falls in various locations in the western Florida Panhandle. For the first time in the history of the extreme south of Florida, snow danced through the air and dusted the ground briefly. The last time Tallahassee had measurable snow was in December 1989, when 1 inch (2.5 cm) fell on the city. Interpretations of this timeline must therefore be made with caution, as observed patterns may not reflect actual climate-related trends in annual snowfall but rather improved reporting. [4][5][6], The vast majority of snow events in Florida occurred in north Florida and the Jacksonville area. 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January 14, 1892: 0.4 inches (10 mm) of snow was reported at Pensacola. “And if it’s happened once, it can definitely happen again someday.”. Aquí algunas razones, Former Miami Dolphins defender dies at age 48, Miss Florida wins early round in Miss America competition, [Popular on OrlandoSentinel.com] Earlier hurricane season? The last time Tampa, Florida saw snow was on December 28, 2010. November 21, 2006: An eastward-moving weather system produces a very light dusting and snowflakes in central Florida. The last time real, build-a-snowman snow fell across this part of the Sunshine State was Jan. 19, 1977, according to the National Weather Service. Forty years long ago to be exact. February 8/9, 1947: A cold wave entering from Canada, accompanied by winds of up to 80 miles per hour (130 km/h; 36 m/s), causes snow as far south as, February 2/3, 1951: Snowfall accumulates to 2.0 inches (51 mm) at. January 3, 2008: Light snow flurries are reported near. The event is attributed to. Before that, you have to go back to Dec. 22, 1995. Surface temps will fall into the 20s through the predawn hours, with significant icing expected to commence by 5 AM #flwx", "How cold is it? ", "Climatology of Jacksonville, Fla. and vicinity", 10.1175/1520-0493(1907)35<566:COJFAV>2.0.CO;2, "A Climatology of Mean Monthly Snowfall for the Conterminous United States: Temporal and Spatial Patterns", 10.1175/1520-0450(1987)026<0897:ACOMMS>2.0.CO;2, "Christmas Coastal Snowstorm: December 22-24, 1989", "Lots of memories as Jacksonville marks the silver anniversary of 1989's freak snowstorm", 10.1175/1520-0493(1876)412[4:TOTA]2.0.CO;2, 10.1175/1520-0493(1892)20[11:PEIIAH]2.0.CO;2, "1892-01 COOP Publication for Madison, Florida", "Report of the Florida Weather Service for the month of December, 1892", "Significant Weather Events in November in the United States", Snow Misses Charlotte, But Cold's Here to Stay, "4 die as Florida citrus, vegetables freeze", "Sleet falls for first time since 1996 in northern Tampa Bay area", "Evolution of a Central Gulf Coast Heavy Snowband — December 18, 1996", "Cold Temperatures and Snow Flurries in East-Central Florida", "Snow falls in central Florida as state endures unusual Nov. cold snap", "Sleet, Snow Fall In Parts Of Central Florida", "Snowfall Accumulations From February 12th", "Let it Snow! In general, frost is more common than snow, requiring temperatures of 32 °F (0 °C) or less at 2 m (7 ft) above sea level, a cloudless sky, and a relative humidity of 65% or more. The snow totals several inches in some locations, and results in the first, January 8, 1996: Snow flurries are reported from, December 18, 1996: A plume of cold air causes snow to form in the northwestern portion of, January 24, 2003: A plume of Arctic air produces widespread record low temperatures and light snow flurries along the eastern coastline. November 27, 1912: An overnight period of snow covers the ground and trees with a 0.5-inch (13 mm) layer in northern Florida. The rare occurrence took place on Jan. 19, 1977, dumping 2 inches of snow on a region that's more accustomed to beach weather in … Her boyfriend at the time, who is now her husband, had trouble opening the gas tank in his car because it was frozen shut from the snow fall. During that storm, heavy snow fell … SNOW DAY | Pictures from the day it snowed in Tampa 41 years ago On January 19, 1977, snow fell in Tampa, Fla. Our viewers have sent in some pictures over the years of the sight. The storm didn’t last … The last time that happened here, was in December of 1989(!). According to the National Weather Service, the record snowfall for the city of Jacksonville is 1.9 inches (4.8 cm), which fell on February 12, 1899. Snow in Tampa Bay? December 14, 1953: Light sleet occurs in the morning in. The day when temperatures plunged into the 30s on the Suncoast and snowflakes dusted the Tampa Bay area. Floridians were able to experience a white January in the form of snow flurries and snow balls, thanks to a strong Arctic cold front that pushed cold air from the peninsula to the south, according to the National Weather Service. Since 1890, there have … March 1, 1986: 0.5 inches (13 mm) of snow accumulates overnight in Jacksonville before melting within 30 minutes due to the morning sun. On December 26, sleet also occurred at, January 16–19, 1893: On January 16, snow occurred at. The mean maximum monthly snowfall in most parts of Florida is zero. It would appear, at least for the western part of the plains, and Texas that this cold spell will be relatively short lived, as by Sunday the weather will warm significantly. Hurricane Facts: What happens to zoo animals during a hurricane? The affected residents spoke of it as an "extraordinary white rain.". Northern Escambia County saw up to 2 inches (51 mm) of snow while, January 17, 2018: A wintry mix of freezing rain and sleet, and some areas of snow is observed in portions of the Florida Panhandle. The last time that happened was in 1977. February 9, 1973: Snow falls over the northern portion of the state, including a total of 2.0 inches (51 mm) in Pensacola, with unofficial reports of up to 8 inches (200 mm). March 16, 2017: Snow flurries fell in parts of the Florida Panhandle, including Tallahassee. Not this year, says World Meteorological Organization, Earlier hurricane season? Snow flurries have been seen in northern Florida as recent as 2017, but 1977 was recorded as one of the coldest years in the United States, according to … February 28, 1855: A few flakes of snow fell at Jacksonville. In Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and Palm Beach there is only one known report in more than 200 years of snow flurries observed in the air; this occurred in January 1977 (though debate exists as to if this was rime or snow). As far as South Florida, don't get too excited. Snow is falling in Florida", "It's snowing in Tallahassee for the first time in three decades", "Florida sees snowfall as winter weather and cold air grips East Coast", "Interstate 10 reopens after winter storm", "Some snowfall and ice accumulation reports received by NWS forecast offices in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida as of 4 pm", "Winter Storm Inga Brings Florida Its Third Snow Event This Winter", https://www.wpbf.com/article/did-south-florida-see-snow-flurries-on-wednesday-a-meteorologist-explains/30632654, https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/regional/florida/south-florida-snow-west-palm-beach-port-st-lucie/67-45f5b484-3f4f-445a-bf2c-fce3ff56bc1a, https://whnt.com/2020/01/22/south-florida-graupeling-with-frozen-precipitation-as-well-as-iguanas/, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Snow_in_Florida&oldid=1008213528, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2018, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2018, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, December 19, 1765: A "white frost" fell in the northern part of the British colony of, 1774: A snowstorm extended across much of the territory. There was no accumulation. This was surely a … With the exception of the far northern areas of the state, most of the major cities in Florida have never recorded measurable snowfall, though trace (T) amounts have been recorded, or flurries in the air observed few times each century. According to the National Weather Service, in the Florida Keys and Key West there is no known occurrence of snow flurries since the European colonization of the region (at least 300 years). Sleet then changed to snow at 10:15 pm and continued through the night, accumulating to 2 inches (51 mm) before sunrise at 7 am as the temperature plunged to 10 °F (−12 °C). [3], Much of the known information on snow in Florida prior to 1900 is from climatological records provided by the National Weather Service meteorological station in Jacksonville, and information for other locations is sparse. The snow is described as. Forty-four years ago, snow fell in Florida, turning the Sunshine State into a winter wonderland. The snow started late on Jan. 18 and accumulated before sunrise on Jan. 19. “I remember walking on campus and all the trees — it was like icicle city — they were completely white with icicles hanging down from them,” Olsen said. and last updated 2018-01-03 19:24:42-05. February 3, 2007: Very light snow flurries are reported in the northeastern panhandle, lasting less than an hour. There were snowflakes and they fell from the sky as far south as Homestead. Due to larger populations and more advanced communication networks, snow events are witnessed and reported much more frequently in recent years than in historical eras. January 19, 1977 is remembered as the day it snowed in Miami. February 13, 1958: An overnight rainfall changes to snowfall in Jacksonville and accumulates to 1.5 inches (38 mm). It is very rare for snow to fall in the U.S. state of Florida, especially in the central and southern portions of the state. December 8, 2010: Snow mixed with rain is reported in western parts of the panhandle, north of Pensacola. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — For the first time in 28 years, it snowed in north Florida. It was the last time measurable snow fell. Finally, many of the reports below are not "official" National Weather Service reports, many being compiled by the newspapers and media, personal observations, and stories passed down through the years. December 23/24, 1989: Light rain in Jacksonville turns to freezing rain as temperatures drop, and later changes to snow. On January 3, 2018, the state of Florida saw snow in its northern regions for the first time in years. The Marion County Sheriff's Office reported that Southwest 66th Street off Southwest 27th … The earliest recorded instance of snow in Florida occurred in 1774; being unaccustomed to snow, some Jacksonville residents called it "extraordinary white rain. Two of the sisters of St. Joseph construct a snowman in downtownSt. Let it Snow! March 6, 1954: 4 in (100 mm) of snow accumulates at Milton Experimental Station, March 28, 1955: Snowfall accumulates to 1 inch (25 mm) in Marianna along the, December 12-13, 1957: It reaches even South Florida, although with intensity than in other portions. A quarter century later, the scene has not been repeated. January 18, 1977: The pressure gradient between a strong. People from Miami to West Palm Beach were affected. This storm broke all-time snowfall records in Wilmington (15.3 inches), Cape Hatteras (13.3 inches), Charleston (8 inches), and Savannah (3.6 inches). This week, FOX 35 meteorologist Brooks Tomlin says some of the coldest days of the year are coming. (With Photo Gallery)", "Many Jacksonville.com users report snow flurries across Northeast Florida", "Sleet Reported In Escambia, Santa Rosa (With Photo)", "Sleet, snow flurries falling on Gulf Coast", https://twitter.com/MyFDOT_NWFL/status/428398067872567296, "Escambia, Santa Rosa closures, cancellations", "Winter Storm Leon Leaves Icy Mess in Pensacola, Parts of Florida Panhandle; Drivers Urged to Stay Off Roads", "Snow flurries great Northeast Florida, Southeast Georgia", "Snow flurries reported west of Tallahassee", "Sunshine State Sees Snow In Gainesville, Jacksonville", "Pensacola, FL Weather History | Weather Underground", "Tallahassee Regional, FL History | Weather Underground", "Snow Fell in South Texas, Along the Gulf Coast, Even the Florida Panhandle During Winter Storm Benji", "Precipitation is overspreading the Suwannee Valley from south to north as of 3 AM, with dewpoint temps in the teens across Columbia, Suwannee & Hamilton Cos. It was January 19th, 1977. Snow even blanketed parts of South Florida, the first time in recorded history. Before that, the last snow that had fallen inSt. December 28, 2010: Light snow was reported at. The Miami News' headline that afternoon screamed: "Snow in Miami!" READ MORE: Miami Heat Player Meyers Leonard Uses … Augustine was in 1917. February 28, 1869: During the morning, snow flurries fell at Jacksonville. December 26, 2010: A mix of snow and sleet was reported in Jacksonville by the National Weather Service. March 2, 1980: About 0.25 inches (6.4 mm) of snow covers car tops and patio furniture in Jacksonville. However the snow did not last long, and quickly melted away. But by 9:30 a.m., South Florida's big snow show was over, melted by the sun's rays. The words “Florida” and “snow” are two words most people would not place together in the same sentence, but you may be surprised to learn that snow has been documented a number of times in Florida as revealed by records as early as 1891. This kind of scenario is pretty rare and sometimes tough to document, but it has happened. 2.5 inches – The greatest cumulative snow fall for Pensacola, Florida. This occurred during the year that ended December 31st, 1977. February 4/5, 1875: Between midnight and sunrise on both dates, light sleet occurred. February 14, 2010: 0.5 inches (13 mm) of snow fell across the northern halves of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Walton and Okaloosa Counties. February 14, 1895: From 6:22 pm to 6:27 pm, light sleet fell at Jacksonville, followed by light snow until 6:32 pm. "[1] The first White Christmas in northeastern Florida's history resulted from a snow event that occurred on December 23, 1989. Hurricane Facts: What was the strongest wind gust recorded in Florida? There was no accumulation reported. “I was born and raised in Florida — snow was not something I had grown up with or was used to.”. Yes, it does happen, but it is extremely rare. December 26/27, 1892: On both days, precipitation fell as sleet and snow at Pensacola. The temperature may have felt like it could’ve snowed this week, but the last time there were snow … “History has already shown us that it can [happen],” the National Weather Service said in a press release. January 30, 1977: Pensacola receives a small amount of snow. On January 19, 1977, it snowed heavily in Southern Florida, an event which received considerable disbelief from Floridians and the rest of the United States. According to the National Weather Service, the record snowfall for the city of Jacksonville is 1.9 inches (4.8 cm), which fell on February 12, 1899. Daniella Medina can be reached at damedina@orlandosentinel.com or on Twitter @daniellanmedina. TAMPA, Fla. — It’s been 43 years since it snowed in the Tampa Bay area—yep you read that right— snowed. The cold front barreled south across the Sunshine State sometime overnight, according to CBS4 News partner the Miami Herald. January 22/23, 1935: Snow falls until the next morning, with Pensacola recording 1 inch (25 mm). Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! [1] Generally, for snow to occur, the polar jet stream must move southward through Texas and into the Gulf of Mexico, with a stalled cold front across the southern portion of the state curving northeastward to combine freezing air into the frontal clouds. December 16, 1901: At 1 pm, light snow fell at Jacksonville; at intervals through the afternoon, sleet followed. [citation needed]. This occurred for less than 1 hour starting at 3:53 am, but had no accumulation. On January 19, 1977, temperatures dropped into … December 1, 1876: According to the observer at, January 4/5, 1879: At Jacksonville at 7 pm, sleet began, which turned to rain 90 minutes later. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads. Some forums can only be seen by registered members. Not this year, says World Meteorological Organization. Jan. 19, 1977. February 7, 1907: During the afternoon, a light snow flurry occurred "in the immediate vicinity" of the city of Jacksonville. In Tallahassee, … Snow fell in, February 16, 2021: Scattered light flurries were reported in, This page was last edited on 22 February 2021, at 03:59. Orlando stuntman who doubled for Chadwick Boseman readies for a busy 2021, Ultramodern waterfront Florida home with ties to John Travolta is listed for $4.65M, ¿No te ha llegado el segundo cheque de estímulo de $600? January 10, 1873: At 7:25 am, a few snowflakes fell at Jacksonville. On Dec. 23, 1989, snow fell in north Florida closing bridges over the St. Johns River in Jacksonville and icing Interstate 95 from there south to St. Augustine. January 9, 2011: Sleet is reported in the Pensacola area, as well as other places in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Snowfall anywhere in Florida is rare, but the last widely reported occasion in South Florida occurred Jan. 19, 1977, when the city of Miami received the only snowfall in its recorded history, the Miami Herald reported. Tampa has a record snowfall of 0.2 inches (5.08 mm) which occurred on January 18, 1977. February 12/13, 1899: At 9:45 pm, rain changed to sleet at Jacksonville. At 7:20 pm, light snow resumed until 8 pm. [2] While light snowfall occurs a few times each decade across the northern panhandle, most of the state is too far south of the cold continental air masses responsible for generating snowfall in the rest of the country. Florida's climate has progressively warmed, on average. Snow dusted that city again the … January 19, 1977 was the first time in recorded history that snow fell in Miami. With Florida winters rarely making it below even the 40s, it’s hard to believe that it ever snowed in Central Florida — but it did 43 years ago. Thanks to back-to-back storms over the last month, most of the Midwest and North-Atlantic regions are covered by snow. UCF alumna Tracy Armstrong Olsen said she remembers the trees on campus, then Florida Technological University, blanketed in white after the sprinklers were left on overnight. The last time real, build-a … Measurable snow fell as far south as Jacksonville and Tallahassee, Florida, and snow flurries were reported in Tampa and near Sarasota. It happened on January 19, 1977. The vast majority of snow events in Florida occurred in north Florida and the Jacksonville area. The last time it snowed in Los Angeles was in January 1962, according to Los Angeles Public Library archives. Augustine after two inches of snow fell on Feb. 2, 1951. The, January 5, 1887: 1 inch (25 mm) of snow fell at. Temperatures are expected to be near or below freezing as they drop into the low 30s and even the 20s in some part of north-Central Florida by Wednesday, according to FOX 35. Due to Florida's low latitude and subtropical climate, temperatures low enough to support significant snowfall are infrequent and their duration is fleeting. The last time three separate snow or sleet events took place in northern Florida in the same winter was in 2010-11. The first sightings of snow then came on Dec. 8 … Since then, they've had some traces of snow … It is the first snow in November in the state since 1912. Flurries also were reported three years ago in the Sunshine State, but not in South Florida. February 14, 1892: Pensacola reported 3 inches (76 mm) of snow. December 14, 1952: Sleet and snow falls across the northern portion of the state, though there is very little accumulation. It was the only time in South Florida history that snow fell from the skies, swirling over palm trees, dazzling school children and surprising the … Additionally, the presence of rime or sleet being mistaken for snowflakes should also be considered. The last time I saw snow was several years ago on a visit up north." It’s happened before — a huge snowstorm pushed snow flurries into Jacksonville, Tallahassee and Tampa in December 1989 and rain mixed with snow was reported in South Florida in January 2010. “It was the most surreal thing to see in Central Florida.”. On Jan. 19, 1977 — 40 years ago Thursday — it snowed in South Florida. January 13, 1852: Snow fell all morning, accumulating to 0.5 inches (13 mm) at Jacksonville. About 40 years ago, snowflakes briefly dusted palm trees, windshields and … On Jan. 19, 1977, snow fell in South Florida for the first time in recorded history. Central Florida is no stranger to sudden cold fronts, though. There has been some freezing weather and some slight snow flurries, such as on Dec. 25, 1989, and Jan. 24, 2003, in … March 3, 2013: Snow flurries were reported in the Panhandle, specifically around, January 24–25, 2014: Sleet and light snow are reported in, January 8, 2015: Snow flurries are reported in various locations around Jacksonville. In any event, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and Palm Beach have not seen snow flurries before or since this 1977 event. Tampa has a record snowfall of 0.2 inches (5.08 mm) which occurred on January 18, 1977. Will it ever snow that much again in Florida? January 17, 1892: At 10:30 am, sleet fell for a few minutes only at. Thursday marks the 40th anniversary of the last time it snowed in Miami. MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Tuesday got off to a slightly chilly start, but nowhere near as chilly as 44 years ago when, for the first time in recorded history, snow fell in South Florida. January 6-7, 2017: Periods of Light Snow and Wintry mix occur in Escambia County Florida From around 9 PM and ending just after Midnight January 7. According to meteorologist Mike Seidel, the last time Jacksonville reported a trace of snow was Dec. 26, 2010. The residents of northern Florida around Pensacola were the first to see snow fall on the Sunshine State, receiving 1-2 inches (2.5-5.0 cm) on January 18. The only other areas in the continental United States with this distinction are southern and southeast Texas (around McAllen and Houston) and parts of coastal southern California at low elevations. This is the only incidence of significant snow in Florida. Spanning south of.