A powerful arctic cold front pushed into the Southeast over the weekend, bringing rare snow flurries to several parts of Florida and sending temperatures well below seasonal norms.
Reports confirmed light snow in the Tampa Bay area, Tallahassee, Gainesville, and Jacksonville. A small accumulation was observed at Jacksonville International Airport, while residents across Central Florida reported brief flurries during the morning hours.
Snow is an uncommon event in much of Florida. The Tampa region last saw flurries in January 2010 and December 1989. The most significant snowfall in that area occurred in January 1977, when about two inches were recorded east of Tampa.
Meteorologists said the cold air mass driving the system is responsible for unusually low wind chills and extended periods below freezing. In eastern North Carolina and coastal regions, forecasters also tracked strong winds and marine storm warnings with rough seas and dangerous conditions for boaters.
Weather officials expect cold conditions to persist into the new week. Sunshine may return, but temperatures are forecast to remain below freezing during overnight hours, with daytime highs struggling to reach the 30s and low 40s in many areas.
A new weather system midweek could bring scattered rain and snow mix before skies clear again toward the end of the week. Officials urged residents to use caution on roads, protect pipes from freezing, and limit outdoor exposure during the coldest periods.
The rare snowfall highlights the intensity of the arctic air sweeping across the Southeast, affecting regions unaccustomed to winter precipitation.
