TAMPA, Fla. – The winter storm that moved via Florida on Tuesday and into Wednesday is one for the file books, smashing the earlier all-time excessive for snowfall within the Sunshine State.
How a lot snow fell in Florida?
By the numbers:
In line with the Nationwide Climate Service, Milton – which is within the Panhandle northeast of Pensacola – obtained 8.8 inches of snow. That is greater than double the earlier state file of 4 inches, additionally in Milton in 1954.
Report-setting snow blanketed the Florida Panhandle, with a brand new file set in Milton. (Courtesy: Leonard Palmer.)
Pensacola obtained about 5 inches of snow, with some areas across the metropolis approaching 7–8 inches, in accordance with FOX Climate.

Report-setting snow fell as a winter storm moved via north Florida. Components of Louisiana and Alabama additionally set information.
Snow additionally blanketed Tallahassee and the Large Bend area, then moved east all the way in which to Jacksonville, the place freezing rain, sleet and some snow flurries had been reported within the space.
Even the Emerald Coast obtained snow, with 2–3 inches reported in areas like Destin and Panama Metropolis Seaside.

Pictured: Niceville, Florida (close to Destin).
“We’ve not seen snowfall totals within the South like this since 1895,” FOX 13 Meteorologist Dave Osterberg stated.
Snow in Florida: See pictures from the winter storm
It is necessary to notice that it may take days to confirm all snow experiences.
Timeline:
Snow made its strategy to the Florida Panhandle on Tuesday afternoon, with a number of inches reported earlier than sundown in locations like Pensacola, the place snowfall charges topped an inch per hour.
By dusk, snow coated a large stretch of I-10, forcing its closure alongside a 65-mile stretch.
On Tuesday evening, it was Jacksonville’s flip for a mixture of wintry precipitation, with snow in some areas – notably farther north into southeast Georgia.
That precipitation continued coming down Wednesday morning earlier than shifting offshore.
A winter storm warning stays in impact for parts of northern and northeast Florida till 1 p.m.
Temperatures in north Florida will stay chilly within the coming days, too, so the snow and ice won’t soften shortly.
Winter storm’s influence on Florida
Large image view:
Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a State of Emergency forward of the storm’s arrival.
The snow led to main closures in north Florida, together with Tallahassee Worldwide Airport and Jacksonville Worldwide Airport halting all flights on Tuesday. Jacksonville’s airport has reopened, however Tallahasee Int’l’s operations will stay suspended till 1 p.m. Thursday.
A virtually 70-mile stretch of I-10 can also be shut down from mile marker 5 in Pensacola to mile marker 70 close to the Okaloosa-Walton County line.
Many college districts and faculties throughout north Florida canceled lessons for Tuesday and Wednesday, as nicely.
The storm knocked out energy to tens of 1000’s of utility prospects in hard-hit areas, with greater than 34,000 affected as of 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Tampa Bay space forecast
Tampa climate | Wednesday forecast
FOX 13 Meteorologist Dave Osterberg says rain will transfer out through the day on Wednesday, however temperatures will keep chilly with highs staying within the 50s. Temps gained’t attain the 60s once more till Saturday, however the 70s may return by Sunday.
What’s subsequent:
Whereas it did not snow within the Tampa Bay space, it is chilly – and FOX 13 Meteorologist Dave Osterberg says low temperatures will stick round for just a few extra days.
After beginning within the 30s in some spots, afternoon highs will once more solely prime out within the mid-50s.
Tampa Bay space braces for chilly nights forward; here is what you could know
Morning rain has cleared out, however we’ll get yet another spherical of showers on Thursday, Osterberg says, earlier than we transition to drier circumstances.

The Bay Space may get yet another spherical of chilly showers on Thursday earlier than we filter, in accordance with meteorologists.
As for our subsequent warmup, that will not begin till Saturday when temps ought to attain about 60 levels with extra sunshine for the Gasparilla Pirate Fest in Tampa.
Sunday is after we’ll actually really feel hotter, in accordance with Osterberg, with a return to the 70s for afternoon highs as we head into subsequent week.

Temperatures will stay chilly within the Bay Space till this weekend, meteorologists say.
The Supply: Data for this story got here from FOX 13 meteorologists, the Nationwide Climate Service and the Florida Division of Transportation. FOX Climate additionally contributed to this report.
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