Icey Snowfall: Florida panhandle sees record snowfall from winter blast

The Florida panhandle had record snowfall Tuesday night and Wednesday, with the most significant amounts recorded in Pensacola.

Weather Update:

According to the National Weather Service office in Mobile/Pensacola, total snowfall reached 9.8″ in Milton, while 9.5″ was reported just northwest of Molino. This breaks the state record of 4″ snowfall established in 1954 by Milton. The region last had snow in 1989. Pensacola Beach recorded 7.5″ of snow, Destin got 2.8″, and Eglin Air Force Base had 1.3″. Snowfall was combined with sleet and ice farther east.  Sunshine came to the area Wednesday afternoon, helping to melt the snow and ice despite temperatures hovering near freezing. The problem is that after the sun goes down, freezing temperatures will refreeze anything that has melted but is still on the roads, sidewalks, and crossroads. Lows in the teens are forecast for Thursday morning. 

Upcoming Weather Update:

The thaw and freeze pattern will continue for several nights, but each day will allow the region to dry up and drain the melting water off the road surfaces. Cold, dry air is forecast to continue in the area until the end of the weekend when afternoon highs will rise over 60 degrees and nightly lows will remain well above freezing.