Weather
Florida Snow Records: Historic 10 Inches Fell Last Year, What About Winter 2026-27?
Tallahassee, FL – Florida may be famous for sunshine and warm winters, but historical weather records reveal that even the Sunshine State can experience remarkable snowfall. A January 2025 storm produ
By Marcus Hale · 2026-10-21T12:50:02.165Z
Tallahassee, FL – Florida may be famous for sunshine and warm winters, but historical weather records reveal that even the Sunshine State can experience remarkable snowfall. A January 2025 storm produced up to 10 inches in a single day, demonstrating how unusual atmospheric conditions can bring significant snow to the Deep South.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Molino in Escambia County recorded 10 inches of snow Jan. 22, 2025, the highest one day measurement in the supplied Florida county records. The same storm brought substantial accumulations across the western Panhandle, including communities that rarely experience measurable snowfall.
Florida's 10 Biggest Distinct Single Day Snowfall Records The following list identifies the highest measurements from distinct reporting dates in NOAA's county level records. Multiple counties reporting snowfall during the same event are grouped together rather than counted separately.
1. Jan. 22, 2025: Molino, Escambia County — 10.0 inches . Jay in Santa Rosa County recorded 9 inches, Crestview in Okaloosa County recorded 8 inches and Graceville in Jackson County reported 6.4 inches. 2. Feb. 13, 1958: Jasper, Hamilton County — 3.0 inches . Monticello, St. Marks and Perry also recorded 3 inches. 3. Dec. 23, 1989: Mayport Pilot Station, Duval County — 2.9 inches . Live Oak recorded 3 inches during the same storm. 4. Feb. 12, 1958: Tallahassee, Leon County — 2.4 inches . Apalachicola recorded 1.2 inches during the same broader storm period as No. 2. 5. Feb. 3, 1951: Crescent City, Putnam County — 2.0 inches . St. Augustine also recorded 2 inches. 6. Jan. 18, 1977: High Springs, Alachua County — 1.5 inches 7. Feb. 15, 1895: Lake City, Columbia County — 1.0 inch 8. Dec. 31, 1917: Bristol, Liberty County — 0.5 inches 9. March 7, 1943: Pompano Beach, Broward County — 0.4 inches 10. Jan. 19, 2019: Ocala Weather Service, Marion County — 0.2 inches Why Florida's Snowfall History Matters Florida's subtropical climate makes significant snowfall exceptionally rare, particularly across central and southern portions of the state.
However, the January 2025 storm demonstrated how powerful winter systems can bring unusually cold air and moisture together across the Gulf Coast.
The Florida Panhandle is particularly vulnerable when Arctic air reaches the northern Gulf region while a moisture rich storm system moves eastward.
Even relatively small accumulations can disrupt transportation because many Florida communities lack extensive snow removal equipment.
What Could This Mean for Winter 2026 27? El Niño can influence winter temperatures, precipitation and storm tracks across the southeastern United States, sometimes producing wetter conditions across Florida.
However, El Niño does not guarantee snowfall, and warmer seasonal temperatures do not completely eliminate the possibility of rare winter weather.
Snow requires sufficiently cold atmospheric conditions and available moisture at the same time.
Historical records cannot predict whether winter 2026 27 will bring another major snowstorm. They demonstrate that unusual combinations of cold air and moisture can occasionally produce extraordinary results.
For Florida residents, the lesson is clear: Snow may be rare, but history proves it is possible, even in the Sunshine State.