Rare snowfall hits Florida and Southeast for second year in a row

According to observations, snow briefly covered grass and rooftops after a surge of cold air moved in behind a cold front, turning the final rain showers into snowflakes in the Sunshine State. While temperatures were not low enough for snow to accumulate on roads, a light dusting remained on grassy areas before quickly melting.

The snowfall follows a similar event less than a year ago. On Jan. 21, 2025, some of the same areas recorded up to 8 inches (20 centimeters) of snow, the most significant snowfall in many locations since the late 1800s.

Images of the unusual weather quickly spread across social media, showing snow on beaches and nestled in palm trees, highlighting the rarity of such conditions in the region.

The winter weather was not limited to Florida. Snow was also reported in parts of southeastern Alabama and southern Georgia, where some communities experienced their second snow event in less than a year. In Georgia, snow covered the ground in cities including Columbus and Macon, prompting officials to warn that travel conditions could become hazardous.

Meanwhile, the U.S. National Weather Service issued a broader winter weather alert, warning of further snowfall across the eastern United States.

“Heads up Southeast and East Coast! Impactful snowfall is forecast to begin late tonight, occurring up and down the East Coast extending from the western Florida Panhandle to Maine,” the U.S. National Weather Service said.

Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that severe frosts and snowstorms affected large parts of Kazakhstan. In West Kazakhstan, weather conditions included snow, blizzards, icy roads, fog and strong winds.