This past Saturday, the residents of Tampa Bay were taken by surprise as snowfall was reported for the first time in over a decade and a half, as confirmed by WFLA and Telemundo 51.
An arctic blast sweeping across the southeastern United States brought subzero temperatures to much of the state, resulting in unprecedented scenes in areas where winter usually brings only rain or mild temperature drops.
According to WFLA, initial reports of snowfall emerged from Citrus, Pasco, and Hernando counties, with numerous residents capturing footage of snowflakes falling on rooftops and vehicles.
"Snow flurries were also reported by viewers in Brooksville and Pasco County," the network stated.
Meteorologist Jeff Berardelli from the channel explained on social media that “a dry air mass” in conjunction with the arctic front led to this occurrence: “This dry slot is insane… but it was quite well modeled in advance. Snow lovers must be very frustrated,” he noted on X.
The National Weather Service (NWS Tampa Bay) observed snow flurries near their local office at 4:45 a.m. on Sunday, February 1st.
Meteorological authorities specified that daytime temperatures would only reach between 40s and 50s °F (4 and 10 °C), with nighttime lows dropping back to between 20s and 30s °F (–6 and 1 °C). Residents were advised to "stay warm."
On social media, the account TampaHoy shared images of the phenomenon in Crystal River and Inverness, while hundreds of users posted videos expressing their amazement at what they described as a "weather anomaly."
According to Telemundo 51, the snow also extended to Gainesville, Jacksonville, and Tallahassee, with flurries observed during Saturday afternoon.
A “light snow” was reported at Jacksonville International Airport, partially covering the pavement.
The network recalled that previous snowfalls in the area occurred in January 2010 and December 1989, with the most memorable event taking place in January 1977, when up to 5 centimeters of snow fell about 30 kilometers east of Tampa.
Miami-Dade and Broward counties remain under a frost advisory from Saturday night through early Sunday morning, with temperatures potentially dropping below 32 °F (0 °C), as per the National Weather Service.
The cold front continues to move eastward, with expectations of further temperature declines during early Sunday, marking one of Florida's coldest winters in over ten years.
Understanding the Unusual Snowfall in Florida
What caused the rare snowfall in Tampa Bay?
The snowfall was caused by a combination of a dry air mass and a frontal system of arctic origin, leading to a drop in temperatures and the rare sight of snow in the area.
How often does it snow in Tampa Bay?
Snowfall in Tampa Bay is extremely rare, with the last significant occurrences recorded in January 2010 and December 1989, and the most notable event in January 1977.
Which areas experienced snowfall besides Tampa Bay?
In addition to Tampa Bay, snowfall was reported in Gainesville, Jacksonville, and Tallahassee, as well as a light snow at Jacksonville International Airport.