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A rare snowstorm hits Florida after several years, disrupting the daily lives of the people. Some areas in north Florida, from Tallahassee west through the Panhandle, have experienced a snowstorm that started on Tuesday and is expected to continue till Wednesday.
As per the National Weather Service forecast, around 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday, the city of Tallahassee witnessed about 2 inches of sleet. On Wednesday, several areas in Florida also reported snowstorms, including Quincy, Santa Rosa Beach, Chattahoochee, and Navarre, among other areas that experienced 4-7 inches of sleet.
This rare event of snowfall in Florida brought icy weather conditions that swept across thousands of miles of the Interstate 10 corridor and prompted Governor, Ron DeSantis to declare a state of emergency.
"We continue to prepare for a widespread winter storm, which is expected to bring snow, sleet, and ice across North Florida today and into tonight. Winter storm conditions can change rapidly, and ice accumulation from freezing rain makes hazardous driving conditions likely," DeSantis wrote on social media. "Floridians are, by nature, not prepared for driving in ice and snow, and this can be extremely dangerous. Staying off the roads is the best way to stay safe, and will keep the roadways clear for emergency personnel to operate," he added.
When was the last time it snowed in Florida?
Although snowstorms are quite rare in Florida, the Sunshine State has previously experienced snowstorms. In January 2022, Okaloosa County experienced flurries of snow cascading from the sky. The gusty winds and showers made the temperature drop quickly overnight.
According to the National Weather Service, parts of north Florida experienced snowstorms in January 2018, whereas the Tampa Bay area or South Florida last experienced snowfall in 1977, nearly half a century ago. Snowfall was seen all across South Florida, including Homestead and Miami Beach. During this historic event, Tampa Bay area measured .20 inches of snow whereas Plant City experienced around 2 inches of snow.
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The recent snowstorm disrupted the daily lives of the people in North Florida. State offices and businesses were shut down, and 14 schools were reported to be closed on Tuesday and an additional 23 schools are expected to stay closed on Wednesday due to the icy weather conditions. Snowplows, bridge deck sprayers, and de-icing equipment were deployed across North Florida to pre-treat bridges and roadways before freezing temperatures set in.
"We have also amassed utility crews on standby to tackle any power outages that may arise from the storm. Winter weather conditions can change quickly; avoid non-essential travel in areas impacted by the storm," Governer Ron DeSantis advised.
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