A historic winter storm is making its mark across the southeastern United States, bringing unprecedented blizzard warnings to areas along the Gulf Coast, stretching from Texas to Louisiana. This marks the first instance of such warnings for this region, as snow accumulation in parts of the Florida Panhandle and the Carolinas is expected to reach between 3 to 6 inches.
In Gulf Breeze, Florida, residents are experiencing snowfall, reminiscent of the last major snow event in the area, which took place on February 13, 1899, during “The Great Blizzard,” when Tallahassee recorded 2.8 inches of snow. With this current storm, some areas could set new records for snow accumulation.
Authorities are urging everyone to avoid travel and stay clear of the heavily impacted Interstate 10 corridor as winter weather alerts have been issued from Texas all the way to Florida and north into North Carolina.
In addition to snow, the forecast predicts freezing rain, which is likely to create hazardous conditions on top of the snow. This layer of ice can lead to dangerous driving situations and pose significant risks for power outages due to the potential accumulation of nearly a quarter inch of ice on power lines.
As the storm progresses, the threat of refreezing and black ice will be a concern from Wednesday through Friday morning. However, temperatures are expected to rise as the weekend approaches, potentially easing conditions as the accumulated snow and ice begin to melt.
Notably, while Central and South Florida will remain largely unaffected by the winter weather, snow flurries have been recorded in Miami on rare occasions, such as on January 19, 1977, when temperatures dipped to an astonishing 30 degrees.
This storm serves as a reminder of the powerful forces of nature and offers a unique opportunity for residents in these regions to experience winter weather rarely seen in their locales. It’s essential for everyone to remain safe and prepared during this rare event.