Published: January 18, 2026 / 09:08 AM CST

Updated: January 18, 2026 / 09:08 AM CST

PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) — Against all odds, a small corner of Florida has once again transformed into a winter wonderland. For the second consecutive year, the western Florida Panhandle experienced a rare snowfall, briefly dusting the grass and rooftops with a delicate white blanket on Sunday morning.

This unusual meteorological event unfolded as a cold front swept through the region, bringing just enough chilly air to convert the lingering rain showers into snowflakes. It seems that Florida’s Sunshine State moniker temporarily took a backseat to a more wintry description.

This occurrence might not be as rare as one might think. Just last year, on January 21, 2025, the same areas witnessed an extraordinary snowfall, with up to 8 inches (20 centimeters) recorded. That snowfall was noted as the most significant in many parts of the region since the late 1800s, marking a memorable moment in Florida’s weather history.

Snow photos flooded social media. There were a few flakes on the beach and snow nestled into palm fronds. It was too warm to stick to the roads, but a dusting of snow sat on the grass for a little while before mostly melting.

The rare snow in the South wasn’t just in Florida. Southeastern Alabama and southern Georgia also reported snow in areas that also got to celebrate a second winter wonderland in less than a year.

Snow covered the ground in Columbus and Macon, Georgia, and officials warned enough might fall to make travel treacherous.