Florida Public Radio Emergency Network (FPREN) Storm center | By Leslie Hudson
Just at the right time, when we talk about snow in Florida, social media is in excitement. And probably with reason. But even the most experienced Floridians did not provide for the extent of the epic snowstorm that broke Florida’s snow records last week. And currently, Florida exceeds certain parts of Alaska and Canada for snow events this winter.
If you keep the score, here is an overview of the totals
According to the National Weather Service, Milton, northeast of Pensacola – obtained a huge 9.80 ″ of snow.
This represents more than double the previous 4 -inch state record, which was also in Milton, in 1954.
This week’s snowstorm also covered Tallahassee and the Big Bend region, then moved to the east to Jacksonville, where the freezing rain, the Grazil and a few gusts of snow were reported in the region . Even the emerald coast has obtained snow, with 2 to 3 inches reported in areas like Destiny and Panama City Beach.
Since Florida is not used to this type of winter time, almost all infrastructure was closed Tuesday and Wednesday through the Panhandle and North Florida. All international and regional airports have also been closed. And a section of almost 70 miles of I-10 has also been closed.
Although northern Florida and the Panhandle get their fair share of freezing time, the elements in place to easily produce snow simply do not occur often in the Sunshine State.
The last time appreciable snow fell in Florida was January 28, 2014, when there was a thumb of snow in Pensacola. Tallahassee obtained a slight snow sprinkling in January 2018. The last time the measurable snow fell in Jacksonville, it was during the snowstorm of the 1989 Christmas week when almost 2 inches of snow fell.
In recent years, certain ice and snow events have also struck in the south as the center of Florida. At the end of January 2007, an ice storm beaten in many surfaces and closed the roads of Florida Panhandle. It was the third winter storm in five years that affected the Tallahassee region. A mixture of snow, gréil and icy rain coated with raised surfaces from Palm Bay in Kissimmee, in Florida as well.
So what happened this week? And why has Florida saw more snow than Alaska games so far this winter?
There was a unique configuration through the States of the Gulf coast in which the very cold air was forced south in the Gulf, while hot and humid air was propelled above a Stabal front and Low low pressure on the Gulf of Mexico.
The polar jet stream was positioned on the Gulf coast states, which was thousands of kilometers south of its normal location. The polar jet was moved by the polar vortex which is generally in northern Canada. The position of the Jet Ruisseau above the Gulf contributed to activating a blocked front, which also initiated a low pressure center to develop (and its humidity) while all the cold air was forced to the south. The result is what is called “exceeding”, where hot air is forced north by low pressure, and because it is lighter (and cold air is heavier / dense), the Hot air “exceeds” cold air on the surface.
The uprising of hot and humid air creates clouds and precipitation. As it was cold enough for snow, this is what Florida obtained, in the shovel. The snow was heavier than usual due to very hot water in the Gulf of Center-West. In this GIF, you can see all the snow on the Texas field in Carolines, a very rare event for this part of the country.
History
Florida has seen the snow more than 80 times since 1886. Apart from this week, the last time the snow was recorded in Florida, it was more than 10 years ago, January 28, 2014, while it There was 1,00 ”snow in Pensacola.
Important snow in Florida since 1950, from Florida Climate Center:
- February 2, 1951: 2.00 ”in St. Augustine and Crescent City
- March 6, 1954: 4.00 ”at the Milton experimental station
- February 13, 1958: 1.50 ”in Jacksonville and 2.80” in Tallahassee.
- February 9-10, 1973: 1.80 ”in Pensacola on 9 and 0.4” in Tallahassee on the 10th.
- January 17-19, 1977: The areas along the I-4 (Tampa / Orlando) reported 1.00-2.00 ”
- December 23, 1989: “The rain is changed in snow in Jacksonville, and several inch totals were reported in certain places; The city had its first white Christmas.
- March 12, 1993: “The 93 storm produced up to 4.00” snow along the Florida Panhandle. “”
- November 21, 2006: Snow sprinkling fell on parts of the center of Florida, the snow of November 1 in the state since 1912.
- January 8-9, 2010: A slight snow sprinkling has been seen in Jacksonville. Light snow fell into certain parts of the center of Florida with Grésil / Snow reported in Orlando, Tampa and Melbourne. Gusts were reported in West Palm Beach and Kendall
- December 26, 2010: A mixture of snow and gréil was reported in Jacksonville, with an icy fog event around midnight. Tallahassee, Gainesville and other places in the North Peninsula reported gusts during the day
The first documented snow in Florida took place in 1774, according to the Florida Climate Center. On January 19, 1977, Snow fell into southern Florida for the first time in recorded history.
The Floridians were both surprised and delighted with the rare phenomenon. The news of the inauguration of President Jimmy Carter was postponed titles that day. The snow was seen throughout the south-east of Florida as far south as Homestead and even on Miami Beach.
