Florida saw the most snowfall in its history Tuesday, as a rare and deadly winter storm walloped the Gulf Coast and Southeast.
The heaviest snow occurred around Pensacola, where 9 inches had fallen. That’s more than double the Sunshine State’s previous record. Although the system was moving offshore, light snow was still reported in Jacksonville early Wednesday.
“It’s different seeing your hometown getting snow when you live in a beach town. But it’s really cool to see this, this once in a lifetime opportunity,” high school senior Jack Barter told the Pensacola News Journal.
Florida wasn’t the only state hit with the winter storm that has left more than 220 million Americans feeling the frigid air.
Historic levels of snow fell in Louisiana, with 8 inches measured at New Orleans International Airport.
“This breaks (by a long shot) the previous record of 2.7 inches set on December 31st, 1963,” the National Weather Service said.
The deaths of at least 13 people have been linked to the Arctic blast, including one in Georgia, two in Houston, two more in Austin, and five in Zavala County, Texas. None of the deceased were immediately identified.
Key Points
- Florida receives heaviest snowfall in state’s history as beaches turn white
- Mapped: Florida and Louisiana have more snowpack than South Dakota
- At least 13 people have died amid dangerous cold and historic snowfall
- Winter weather continues to hamper air and ground travel
- Frigid temperatures and low wind chill values will linger for several days
Georgia governor warns driver about dangerous conditions
20:17
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Julia Musto
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp says his state is not yet out of the woods when it comes to dangerous road conditions.
“If you don’t need to drive, don’t. Teams are working to treat roads across the state, but keep in mind that backroads and shaded areas may take days to fully thaw,” he said in a social media post.
Jacksonville bridges reopen after multiple crashes and ice concerns
20:00
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Julia Musto
TRAFFIC ALERT
— Jax Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO) January 22, 2025
Good news, Jacksonville! The Main Street, Hart and Mathews Bridges have all reopened. Thank you for your patience as we worked to get the roads back.
Please remember to slow down if you’re on the road today. Per the NWS, we’ll still feel freezing temperatures… pic.twitter.com/D7BBxMls5Z
— Jax Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO) January 22, 2025
The city’s airport has also reopened.
Here’s how to stay safe on ice
19:45
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Julia Musto
With the ongoing cold, many ponds and lakes may have become ice-covered. That doesn't mean it's safe to walk on! Long-periods of extended cold are necessary to create ice thick enough (4+ inches) to support activity. If you don't know, don't go! pic.twitter.com/T2BESI2bvl
— National Weather Service (@NWS) January 22, 2025
NBA postpones Pelicans-Bucks game
19:30
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Julia Musto
The NBA said Wednesday that it had postponed an evening game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Milwaukee Bucks due to dangerous road conditions in Louisiana.
The game was scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. local time.
Alabama airports remain closed through Thursday
19:15
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Julia Musto
Weather Update – January 22, 2025
— Mobile Airport (@MobileRegional) January 22, 2025
Due to the ongoing weather conditions, both Mobile Regional and Mobile International Airports will remain closed today, and commercial operations are suspended. We plan to reopen at noon on Thursday, January 23, if runway conditions allow. We... pic.twitter.com/QodNJlgITz
South Carolina-LSU women’s basketball game pushed after winter weather
19:00
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Julia Musto
The Southeastern Conference has postponed Thursday night’s women’s basketball game between LSU and South Carolina until Friday.
The game is set to take place in Columbia, South Carolina.
With reporting from The Associated Press
Multiple crashes reported in South Carolina amid winter weather
18:45
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Julia Musto
Alabama schools will remain closed as superintendent says there’s sure to be 'busted pipes’
18:37
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Julia Musto
An Alabama county superintendent says school closures in Baldwin County are expected to continue through the week.
“Baldwin County Public Schools will be closed for the remainder of the week,” Superintendent Eddie Tyler said in an email to parents on Wednesday.
“The snow has been beautiful and fun, but there could be a lot of problems hiding under all this snow and ice,” he said, according to WKRG. “Any busted pipes are still frozen, but when they thaw, we could have water everywhere (I am certain we will have some busted pipes). Because most Baldwin County roads will remain closed today, I can’t send personnel to inspect heating systems and food storage units. So, I’m in the blind as to what’s working and what’s not.”
Tallahassee snow is seen from space
18:30
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Julia Musto
1/22/25 950AM ☃️ ️
— NWS Tallahassee (@NWSTallahassee) January 22, 2025
A historic morning snapshot of the Tri-State area following the unforgettable winter storm that blanketed much of the Gulf Coast states. The snow on the ground is a site to behold from space. The red dot roughly represents #Tallahassee. #FLwx #GAwx #ALwx pic.twitter.com/Lx5iEyrYfB
Photos: South Carolina sees snow across its coast
18:29
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Julia Musto
Louisiana governor urges residents to refrain from driving unless absolutely necessary
18:15
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Julia Musto
. @La_DOTD crews are working hard to clear the roadways. Please refrain from driving unless absolutely necessary to help keep everyone safe.
— Governor Jeff Landry (@LAGovJeffLandry) January 22, 2025
Check https://t.co/I7WYVJyXY1 for the latest updates. #lawx pic.twitter.com/mHwHF60rOs
Icy conditions force Georgia residents to abandon their vehicles
18:15
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Julia Musto
Mink Livsey Road at Harley Beth Drive in Snellville is not passable due to icy conditions and vehicles left in the roadway. The Gwinnett Police Department is aware of many vehicles around the county that were abandoned because of the weather and road conditions over night.… pic.twitter.com/ZIdrCIHz0T
— Gwinnett County Police (@GwinnettPd) January 22, 2025
Shirt commemorates historic Florida storm
18:00
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Julia Musto
A new t-shirt commemorating Florida’s winter storm is raising money for people experiencing homelessness.
The shirt was released by the state’s advertising group CATECOMM.
Bridges and roads close in Florida due to car accidents and icy conditions
17:45
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Julia Musto
Dangerous road conditions are being reported across SE GA & NE FL, avoid travel if possible!
— NWS Jacksonville (@NWSJacksonville) January 22, 2025
Several bridges & roads closed in Duval & Nassau counties due to ice / car accidents.
Cameras curtesy of GDOT show snow/slush on roads.
Temps remain near freezing, beware of ice! pic.twitter.com/Lm2bvDZidH
Over 100 vehicles were stranded in DeKalb County
17:41
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Julia Musto
More than 100 vehicles were stranded in DeKalb County, Georgia, as ice impacted roadways.
“Residents are strongly urged to avoid travel to prevent further incidents and delays,” county officials said in a news release.
South Carolina sees nearly four inches of snow
17:30
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Julia Musto
Forecasters said Wednesday that Bowman, South Carolina, had seen nearly 4 inches of snow.
Totals in other parts of the state were highest along the coast, with areas near Myrtle Beach reporting more than 5 inches.
Houston forecasters warn of icy sheets and black ice
17:15
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Julia Musto
⚠️Hazardous morning commute... Snowmelt & below-freezing temperatures created icy sheets/black ice on roads and surfaces, making it slippery.
— NWS Houston (@NWSHouston) January 22, 2025
Don’t let black ice sneak up on you! Black ice is difficult to see. What looks clear pavement could be ice! pic.twitter.com/rIWQv0dVOG
Baton Rouge Airport Ryan Field records its coldest temperature on record
17:00
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Julia Musto
Baton Rouge Airport Ryan Field recorded its coldest temp on record & tied the 2nd coldest temp on record for the Baton Rouge area of 7 degrees this morning. Ryan Field's records go back to 1930 & the Baton Rouge area Period of Record goes back to 1892. #LAwx #MSwx pic.twitter.com/5ccjRkaYWl
— NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) January 22, 2025
Is there any warmth on the horizon for New Orleans?
16:45
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Julia Musto
Highs will barely make it above freezing today, with dangerous wind chills persisting. This is why ice will remain on roadways and travel will remain dangerous all day even into tonight into portions of tomorrow. #lawx #mswx (4/6) pic.twitter.com/WXz0PnOrdI
— NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) January 22, 2025
Ok, any warmth on the horizon? We'll need to get through two more mornings with freezes/hard freezes Friday and Saturday, then, above freezing Sunday morning. Highs in the 50's Saturday, 60's Sunday and Monday! There's always light at the end of the tunnel #lawx #mswx (6/6) pic.twitter.com/5UYlUQ3FWZ
— NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) January 22, 2025
NOAA satellites capture fresh snowpack across the South
16:30
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Julia Musto
We cannot help but continue to admire the snow down south. GOES-East GEOCOLOR Composite revealed the fresh snowpack as the sun rose this morning. Snow extended from Texas to the Florida panhandle and up into North Carolina. pic.twitter.com/YkCUklwiXy
— NWS Binghamton (@NWSBinghamton) January 22, 2025
Photos show Florida’s Pensacola coated with thick white snow
16:24
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Julia Musto
Georgia residents told to shelter in place due to icy roads: ‘This is a serious situation’
16:15
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Julia Musto
Residents of Georgia’s DeKalb County were told to shelter in place and stay off ice-covered roads on Wednesday.
The county has declared a state of emergency, according to WSB-TV.
“This is a serious situation,” Dekalb County CEO Cochran-Johnson said. “We are asking for everyone’s patience and cooperation as our teams work around the clock to ensure public safety. Staying off the roads is critical—not only for your safety but to allow emergency responders to reach those in need.”
More than 110,000 customers are left without power following storm
16:10
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Julia Musto
More than 111,000 customers in Georgia, Florida, Texas, and Louisiana remained without power on Wednesday as a rare southern winter storm shifted eastward. The majority of outages were tracked in Georgia, according to PowerOutage.US.
The National Weather Service said that any power outages across the Gulf Coast and Southeast due to the winter storm would exacerbate the threat from the cold for these areas.
Frigid temperatures and low wind chill values will linger for several days
16:06
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Julia Musto
Forecasters cautioned Wednesday that cold weather and precipitation would continue Wednesday morning for the Southeast and Gulf Coast.
Heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain are expected from northern Florida to North Carolina, resulting in major travel disruptions.
Snow in the Gulf Coast has come to end, but the National Weather Service warned travel impacts may linger for several days given the “historic heavy accumulations combined with frigid temperatures” and the lack of equipment for clearing roads.
A slow recovery is expected by Thursday, as high temperatures rise between five and 10 degrees.
Winter weather continues to hamper air and ground travel
15:59
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Julia Musto
More than 3,400 flights were delayed or canceled on Wednesday morning within, into, or out of the U.S.
Tracker FlightAware showed hundreds of canceled flights in Atlanta, Houston, Charlotte, and New Orleans.
This comes as authorities have warned residents to stay off roads across the impacted region.
“NOLAREADY: Snowfall has subsided, but snow has compacted on roadways, leading to slick and icy surfaces and making travel dangerous. Please, stay off the roads,” the city’s emergency managers urged.
At least 13 people have died amid dangerous cold and historic snowfall
15:54
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Julia Musto
At least 13 people have died this week amid dangerous cold and historic snowfall from a rare southern winter storm.
Austin-Travis County emergency officials have responded to more than a dozen cold exposure calls since Monday. Those include two fatal incidents.
Georgia has seen at least one death due to the winter weather. A critical needs patient got outside Monday night and died of hypothermia, Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency Director Chris Stallings explained to reporters on Tuesday.
A woman driving in Harris County, Texas, died when her car left its lane and crashed head-on into an oncoming 18-wheeler, according to the Harris County’s Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office also said a man who may have been homeless was found dead in a parking lot in the Katy area, The Houston Chronicle reported.
And, five people were killed following a crash in Zavala County amid icy conditions, according to Uvalde County authorities.
The accident occurred on Highway 57 just before 1 a.m. on Tuesday, according to Fox San Antonio.
The individuals were not immediately identified.
James Ball, a 65-year-old Stratford, Texas, man, was killed in a Monday crash in Moore County, officials said. Ball had been traveling at an unsafe speed, according to KFDA.
Caleb Green, 37, died in a fire after using his stove for heat in Alabama’s Dale County, according to NBC News. A woman driving in the county was also killed when she hydroplaned and was ejected from her vehicle.
Mapped: Florida and Louisiana have more snowpack than South Dakota
15:45
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Julia Musto
Florida receives heaviest snowfall in state’s history as beaches turn white
15:35
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Julia Musto
Florida just saw the heaviest snowfall in its history
14:40
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Julia Musto
Florida just saw its most snow on record. Citizens in Pensacola reported snow totals of more than 8.4 inches, and Milton reported nearly 9 inches, according to meteorologist Brooks Garner.
“These totals more than DOUBLED our previous Florida record for most snow in one event,” he wrote in a social media post.
Milton’s total was more than double the state record set in 1954.
New Orleans saw bigger storm on Tuesday than Boston has in three years
13:00
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Julia Musto
New Orleans had a bigger storm today than anything Boston has seen in almost 3 years (Feb '22)
— Eric Fisher (@ericfisher) January 21, 2025
Florida pre-treats more than 600 state-owned bridges in the Panhandle
11:00
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Julia Musto
Ahead of the winter storm, @MyFDOT has deployed snowplows, bridge deck sprayers, and de-icing equipment across North Florida. Yesterday, FDOT crews applied anti-icing products to pre-treat over 600 state-owned bridges in the Panhandle. Today, they are continuing to pre-treat…
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) January 21, 2025
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry says Tuesday was ‘historic and magical day'
10:00
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Julia Musto
It was “a historic and magical day,“ Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry told reporters on Tuesday.
“Kids have had an opportunity to see a part of nature here in Louisiana that we never get to see,” he said.
Preliminary snow totals reveal 10.5 inches fell in this city
09:00
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Julia Musto
Preliminary totals of snowfall in Louisiana revealed that between four and 10.5 inches had fallen across the state, with the highest in the city of Rayne.
Texas saw up to 6 inches in Pine Forest.
Timelapse shows snowfall at National Weather Service in Mobile
08:00
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Julia Musto
❄️Timelapse of the incredible snowfall at our office today (so far). #mobwx pic.twitter.com/ApUiUmhfMB
— NWS Mobile (@NWSMobile) January 21, 2025
NOAA satellites show blue, chilly hues across the country
07:00
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Julia Musto
Brrr!
— NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) January 21, 2025
Infrared imagery from @NOAA's #GOESEast (GOES-16) ️ shows a huge swath of blueish hues across much of the U.S. and Canada, indicating that the frigid temperatures on the ground rival those of the icy cloud tops. How can you tell the difference between the two? The… pic.twitter.com/dO99KAixkF
How does wind chill affect the body?
06:00
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Julia Musto
Cold weather deaths are on the rise. Climate change could make people more susceptible
05:00
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Julia Musto
Cold weather advisory issued for Florida counties
04:00
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Julia Musto
9AM Update | A Cold Weather Advisory has been issued for Lake, Volusia, Seminole, and Orange Counties tonight into Wednesday morning. Rainy conditions will make it particularly cold for those without adequate shelter, on top of wind chills 25-30 degrees. pic.twitter.com/ehKBCqR5sw
— NWS Melbourne (@NWSMelbourne) January 21, 2025
Alabama will see very cold temperatures as low as 5 to 15 degrees through Wednesday morning
03:00
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Julia Musto
Florida deploys snowplows to remove snow and ice in Santa Rosa County
02:00
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Julia Musto
FDOT crews have deployed snowplows along I-10 in Santa Rosa County to remove snow and ice from the Blackwater River Bridge. Drivers should give plows and spreaders room to work as the truck may cross the centerline and shoulders during plowing operations. pic.twitter.com/RyHDeKY9qI
— FDOT District 3 (@MyFDOT_NWFL) January 21, 2025
Heavy snow could cause near whiteout conditions over southeastern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle
01:00
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Julia Musto
1/21 2:45pm ET/1:45pm CT:
— NWS Tallahassee (@NWSTallahassee) January 21, 2025
⚠️ Heavy snow bands over the FL Panhandle into southeast AL w/ gusty winds of 25-30 mph could cause blowing snow and near whiteout conditions.
PLEASE STAY OFF THE ROADS! This could become a life-threatening situation for those stranded. #ALwx #FLwx pic.twitter.com/KbPfKl9NAx
The historic Gulf Coast winter storm will continue this week. Here’s what to know
00:30
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Julia Musto
The latest on the historic Gulf Coast winter storm and extreme cold temperatures. pic.twitter.com/c3osJOkbfi
— NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) January 21, 2025
Light-to-moderate snow is continuing around New Orleans
00:00
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Julia Musto
Light-moderate snow is continuing, mainly along & southeast of a line from Patterson to Hammond to Poplarville. Snow is finally tapering off to the northwest. There will still be pockets of heavier snow south of the tidal lakes & across coastal MS; hourly snow rates of 1 to 1.5" pic.twitter.com/XaPN5meQ1U
— NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) January 21, 2025
Tampa to see cold, wet, and windy Wednesday
Tuesday 21 January 2025 23:30
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Julia Musto
The short answer for Wednesday is most of us will be experiencing a cold, wet and windy morning. For more details please see the graphic below. pic.twitter.com/Pzfr24wH1F
— NWS Tampa Bay (@NWSTampaBay) January 21, 2025
Hazardous driving conditions are expected to continue through Wednesday morning in Houston
Tuesday 21 January 2025 23:00
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Julia Musto
Hazardous driving conditions are expected to continue through Wednesday morning in Houston, Texas.
Deep snow and patches of ice were reported, as well as icing over bridges and overpasses.
Dangerous cold will continue to threaten Houston
Tuesday 21 January 2025 22:17
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Julia Musto
While the snow has stopped falling in Houston, slush and ice on the ground is expected to refreeze overnight, forecasters cautioned.
An extreme cold warning and cold weather advisory are in place.
Alabama sees greatest snowfall since 1895
Tuesday 21 January 2025 22:08
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Julia Musto
BREAKING: Mobile, Alabama has reported 5.75 inches of snow, making it the greatest snowfall since the Storm of 1895. (That one dropped 6 inches.) pic.twitter.com/CU6L0K1PvD
— Matthew Cappucci (@MatthewCappucci) January 21, 2025
Florida authorities advise residents: ‘Remember, many of us don’t have experience driving in these conditions'
Tuesday 21 January 2025 21:34
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Julia Musto
Harris County Sheriff’s Office warns roads are ‘extremely dangerous'
Tuesday 21 January 2025 21:28
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Julia Musto
