Northern Florida can, on rare occasions, experience snowfall. This infrequent phenomenon occurs only under specific atmospheric conditions, typically in the northernmost parts of the state, particularly the Panhandle.
How Often Snow Falls
Snowfall in Northern Florida typically amounts to fleeting flurries or light dustings rather than significant accumulations. Historically, the northern Panhandle might see light snowfall a few times each decade. Cities like Jacksonville average a snow event only once or twice every ten years, and measurable snow in Tallahassee occurs approximately once every 17 years.
Northern Florida has witnessed notable snowfall events. A significant winter storm in January 2018 brought 4 to 8 inches of snow to parts of the Panhandle, with Milton notably seeing 9.8 inches and Pensacola recording 7.6 inches. More recently, snow flurries were observed in parts of the Panhandle in 2022, and 2018 marked the first measurable snowfall in North Florida, including Tallahassee, since 1989.
Why Snow is Rare
Northern Florida’s low latitude and subtropical climate are the primary reasons snow is rare. For snow to form and reach the ground, temperatures must remain at or below freezing (32°F or 0°C) throughout the entire atmospheric column, from the clouds to the surface. Sufficient moisture is also necessary for snow crystals to form.
The warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean significantly influence the region’s air masses, preventing temperatures from dropping low enough for extended periods. Even when cold fronts push southward, warm tropical easterly winds can quickly melt any falling snow. Florida’s exceptionally low elevation means the state lacks the mountainous terrain that facilitates snow at higher altitudes in other warm regions. For snow to occur, the polar jet stream must dip unusually far south, combining with a stalled cold front to introduce freezing air into the frontal clouds.
Where Snow is Most Likely
Within Northern Florida, the likelihood of experiencing snow increases the further north and west one travels, particularly into the Panhandle region. Areas along and north of the Interstate 10 corridor are more susceptible to winter weather. This includes cities such as Pensacola, Milton, and Tallahassee, which have a marginally greater historical chance of seeing snow compared to coastal areas further east.
While locations like Jacksonville have recorded snow, these events are often characterized by sleet and freezing rain rather than pure snow, especially closer to the coast where the influence of warmer ocean air is more pronounced. Even in the most prone areas of the Panhandle, snow remains an uncommon occurrence. However, these northern counties are the primary areas where residents might occasionally witness the rare and fleeting sight of snowflakes.