Florida Smashes Snow Records in Historic Blizzard

Florida's record books were rewritten in 2025 when Milton recorded an unprecedented 9.8 inches of snow during a historic blizzard. The storm doubled previous records across the state, with snow reaching as far south as West Palm Beach for the first time. The extreme weather event claimed 10 lives and left over 120,000 without power. This remarkable snowfall marked a dramatic shift from Florida's typically sunny reputation, revealing an unexpected chapter in the state's climate history.

Quick Overview

• Milton, Florida set an all-time state snowfall record with 9.8 inches, shattering the previous record of 4 inches from 1954.
• Snow reached unprecedented southern regions, with West Palm Beach experiencing its first-ever recorded snowfall in 2025.
• Pensacola doubled its previous snow record with 9 inches during the historic 2025 blizzard.
• The blizzard caused 10 fatalities and left 120,000 customers without power across multiple affected states.
• Officials responded by pre-treating 600 state-owned bridges in the Panhandle region to manage unprecedented winter conditions.

Who would've thought Florida could get nearly 10 inches of snow? The Sunshine State shattered its previous snowfall records when an Arctic blast swept through in 2025, dropping an unprecedented 9.8 inches of snow in Milton. This new record dwarfs the state's previous record of 4 inches, set in the same city back in 1954.

Pensacola wasn't far behind, recording 9 inches of snow and more than doubling its previous record. The winter storm's reach extended far beyond the Panhandle, with Jacksonville reporting light snow and, for the first time ever, snow falling in West Palm Beach. Even Clearwater residents witnessed snowflakes, marking an extremely rare occurrence for the Tampa Bay area.

This historic weather event joins a short list of notable Florida snow episodes. The state's earliest recorded snowfall dates back to 1774 in Jacksonville. The February 1899 event was particularly memorable, with snow reaching as far south as Fort Myers. In 1977, snow flurries made it all the way to Homestead, while the last measurable snowfall in Tallahassee before 2018 occurred in December 1989. The Florida Keys have maintained their unique status as the only region that has experienced no snow flurries in over three centuries.

The 2025 storm proved deadly, claiming at least 10 lives as the Arctic blast gripped the state. Power outages affected thousands as over 120,000 customers lost electricity across multiple states. Officials had prepared for the worst, pre-treating over 600 state-owned bridges in the Panhandle region. Despite these preparations, major travel disruptions occurred throughout affected areas.

Looking back at Florida's snow history, Jacksonville set its record of 1.9 inches in 1899, while Tampa recorded 0.2 inches in 1977. More recent events included ocean-effect snow in Jacksonville in 2015 and up to 2 inches of snow in northern Escambia County in December 2017. Before the 2025 storm, Tallahassee's last significant snowfall was in January 2018, measuring between 0.1 and 0.2 inches.

The 2025 blizzard's impact extended beyond just breaking records. Frigid temperatures lingered for several days, catching many Floridians off guard in a state better known for its beaches and palm trees.

Officials predicted a slow recovery by Thursday as residents and infrastructure alike struggled to cope with the unusual winter conditions. This extraordinary weather event has now become a defining moment in Florida's climate history, reminding everyone that even the Sunshine State isn't immune to winter's fierce grip.