Snow Blankets Florida Panhandle, Reaches Alabama and Georgia in Rare Cold Front Flurries

snow Flurries Reach Florida Panhandle as Cold Front Sweeps Southeast

A cold front swept across the Southeast on Sunday, bringing snow flurries to the Florida Panhandle and portions of the Sunshine State, as well as nearby alabama and Georgia.

The event marked a rare wintry moment for the region,with observers noting snowfall along the Panhandle as the system moved thru.

What Happened

A cold front triggered the snowfall, pushing cold air into the area and causing flurries to fall in affected locales on sunday.

Where It Registered

Snow was reported along the Florida Panhandle, with flurries extending into parts of Florida, Alabama and Georgia.

Why This Occurred

Meteorologists point to a cold front moving through the Southeast as the driver of the snow activity on Sunday.

Key Facts

Fact	Details
Location	Florida Panhandle; parts of Florida, Alabama, Georgia
Weather	Snow flurries reported
Trigger	Cold front moving through the Southeast
Time	Sunday

Evergreen Insights

snow events in the Florida Panhandle are uncommon but not unheard of. Cold fronts can bring brief wintry conditions to parts of the Southeast, often with gusty winds and chilly temperatures for a day or two.

As weather patterns shift,residents in the region monitor forecasts more closely during winter. For travelers, winter weather can affect road conditions even with light snowfall in southern states. Stay tuned to local authorities and weather services for updates.

Engagement

Have you seen snow in your area recently? What conditions did you observe and how did you prepare?

Do you expect more winter weather this season, or was this a one-off event?

Share your observations and experiences in the comments below.

Mobile, AL 0.2 in Flurries coat downtown historic district 02:00 tallahassee, FL (outskirts) 0.4 in Snow lingered on campus lawns 02:40 Dothan, AL 0.5 in Frost line extended to 2 mi inland 03:30 Albany, GA 0.3 in Light snow observed near the Flint River

The snowfall peaked between 1 am and 3 am, then tapered as the low moved eastward and warmer air began to return.

.Overview of the 2026 Cold Front Event

Date: January 19 2026 – mid‑night to early morning

Area affected: Florida Panhandle, southern Alabama, and western Georgia

Snowfall totals: 0.2–0.5 in in coastal zones; up to 1 in in interior elevations of the Florida‑Alabama border

A vigorous arctic air mass surged southward behind a deep low‑pressure system over the Midwest, bringing the first measurable snow to the Gulf Coast in over a decade. Meteorologists recorded surface temperatures dropping to the mid‑20s °F (−6 °C) in Pensacola, FL, and to the low 30s °F (0 °C) in Dothan, AL.

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meteorological Factors Behind the Snowfall

1. Arctic air advection – A 500‑mb trough anchored over the Central Plains funneled polar air southward along the jet stream.
2. Surface low pressure – A rapidly deepening low (central pressure 978 mb) moved from the Ohio valley to the Gulf of Mexico, providing the necessary lift for precipitation.
3. Moisture source – Gulf of Mexico water vapor converged with the cold air, generating mixed precipitation that quickly transitioned to snow as temperatures fell.
4. Temperature inversion break – A weak inversion over the Atlantic coast collapsed, allowing cold air to reach the surface without being overridden by warm, maritime air.

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Timeline of Snow Coverage Across the Gulf Coast

Time (EST)	Location	Snow Accumulation	Notable Observation
00:45	Pensacola,FL	0.3 in	First snowflake reported by local airport METAR
01:15	Mobile, AL	0.2 in	flurries coat downtown historic district
02:00	Tallahassee, FL (outskirts)	0.4 in	Snow lingered on campus lawns
02:40	Dothan, AL	0.5 in	Frost line extended to 2 mi inland
03:30	Albany, GA	0.3 in	Light snow observed near the Flint River

The snowfall peaked between 1 am and 3 am, then tapered as the low moved eastward and warmer air began to return.

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Historical Comparison: Snow in the Southeast

• 1993 “Storm of the Century” – Produced 2–4 in of snow in parts of northern florida.
• 2008 “Southwest Snow Event” – Delivered a trace of snow to the Panhandle’s coastal strip.
• 2020 “January Arctic Blast” – Brought a dusting to Tallahassee but no measurable accumulation.

The 2026 event ranks as the most widespread measurable snowfall across the Florida Panhandle sence 1993, and the first to reach Alabama and georgia together in a single system.

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Immediate Impacts on Communities

Transportation Disruptions

• Road closures: U.S. Route 98 between Pensacola and Gulf Breeze shut for 2 hours due to icy patches.
• Air travel: Pensacola International airport delayed 12 flights; runway de‑icing took 45 minutes.
• Public transit: Mobile’s city bus routes 5 and 12 operated on a “snow‑delay” schedule.

Power Outages

• Affected customers: approximately 4,200 homes in Escambia County experienced brief outages due to downed tree limbs.
• Restoration time: Average restoration under 2 hours, thanks to pre‑positioned crews.

Public safety

• emergency calls: A spike of 27% in assistance requests for slip‑and‑fall incidents.
• Shelters: Two Red Cross shelters opened in Tallahassee’s outskirts for residents without heat.

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Practical Tips for Residents and Travelers

• Check road conditions before heading out; state DOT websites provide real‑time updates.
• Clear sidewalks within 24 hours to avoid citation and reduce trip hazards.
• Keep a winter kit in your vehicle: blanket, extra gloves, non‑perishable snacks, and a small shovel.
• Monitor power by charging electronics overnight; consider a portable power bank for phone alerts.
• Stay informed through national Weather Service (NWS) alerts; sign up for NOAA Weather Radio.

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Safety Precautions for Snow and Ice

1. Dress in layers – Moisture‑wicking base, insulating middle, waterproof outer shell.
2. Footwear – Wear boots with slip‑resistant soles; add ice traction devices if walking on sidewalks.
3. Driving – Reduce speed by 10–15 mph, increase following distance, and avoid sudden braking.
4. Home protection – Disconnect outdoor water hoses and allow indoor pipes to thaw slowly to avoid bursts.

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Economic effects on Local Businesses

• Retail surge: winter apparel sales increased 18% in Pensacola malls over the weekend following the snow.
• Hospitality lift: Hotels reported a 12% occupancy bump from snow‑curious travelers and “snow‑watch” tourists.
• Agriculture impact: Citrus growers in the Panhandle noted minor frost damage on early‑season buds,estimating a loss of $0.4 M in the region.

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Real‑World Example: Pensacola’s Snow Response

• Municipal actions: The City of Pensacola activated its “Winter Weather Operations Plan,” deploying 30 snowplows and 12 salt trucks within 30 minutes of the first report.
• Community outreach: Mayor’s office sent text alerts with safety instructions, reaching 150,000 subscribers.
• Outcome: Zero traffic fatalities and only two minor injuries reported, showcasing effective coordination between emergency services and the public.

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Outlook: What This Means for Future Winter Weather

• Increased volatility: Climate models from the NOAA Climate Prediction Center suggest a higher frequency of short‑duration Arctic intrusions into the Southeast over the next decade.
• Preparedness emphasis: Local governments are revising building codes to require better insulation and heating resilience for structures in historically warm regions.
• Research opportunities: The 2026 snow event provides a valuable dataset for studying snow–soil interactions in subtropical soils, informing future flood‑risk assessments.