Given Florida’s reputation for warm weather, it is a common question whether snow ever falls in Jacksonville. The definitive answer is yes, but it is an extremely rare meteorological event. When snow occurs, it typically results in a brief flurry or a light dusting that quickly melts upon contact with the ground. The city’s subtropical climate means snowfall is an anomaly, not a regular winter occurrence, making any appearance of flakes a memorable moment for residents.
The Rarity of Snowfall in Jacksonville
Jacksonville’s climate is classified as humid subtropical, establishing mild conditions for the winter months. Average daily high temperatures in January, the coldest month, hover around 65°F, while average lows settle around 46°F. These temperatures ensure the probability of snow falling is near zero in any given year.
Even when cold fronts manage to push temperatures down to the freezing mark overnight, the cold air is often short-lived. Measurable snow accumulation, defined as more than a trace amount, is nearly unheard of in the city. The typical winter weather pattern involves brief cold snaps followed by a rapid return to mild, sunny conditions.
Documented Historic Snow Events
Despite the city’s warm climate, the historical record contains specific instances of measurable snowfall. The most significant event on record occurred on February 13, 1899, when Jacksonville officially recorded its all-time single-day snowfall of 1.9 inches. This remains the benchmark for winter precipitation in the city’s history.
A more recent, widespread event that many residents still recall took place on December 23, 1989, when 0.8 inches of snow accumulated in the area. This event is often cited as the last time Jacksonville saw a significant, measurable snowfall. The unusual weather caused widespread excitement and travel disruptions right before the Christmas holiday.
Before the 1989 event, an earlier notable snowfall recorded 1.5 inches on February 13, 1958. More recently, trace amounts of snow and flurries have been observed, such as during the January 2018 cold wave that brought a light dusting to parts of the region.
Meteorological Conditions That Prevent Snow
The primary reason Jacksonville rarely sees snow is the confluence of temperature and moisture requirements that must be met simultaneously. Snow formation requires three conditions: freezing temperatures at the ground level, freezing temperatures throughout the entire atmospheric column, and sufficient moisture. Jacksonville frequently fails to meet the second condition.
The city’s latitude and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Stream are major mitigating factors. The ocean water temperature in the winter, even at its coolest point in February, remains relatively warm, averaging around 64°F. This warmth moderates the air temperature, especially in the lowest layers of the atmosphere near the coast.
Even when arctic air masses push south, they often do not contain enough frigid air to cool the entire column of air from the cloud base to the surface below 32°F. Snowflakes that form higher up in the atmosphere typically melt into rain as they pass through the warmer mid-levels of air before reaching the ground. For snow to reach the ground intact, the entire vertical profile of the atmosphere must be cold enough, a setup that rarely materializes in northern Florida.