FLORIDA — Reports of snowflakes falling across west-central Florida early this morning are drawing attention as a rare Arctic air mass continues to surge deep into the peninsula, producing conditions almost never observed in the region.
Snowflake Reports Centered Around Tampa Bay and Gulf Coast Communities
Weather observation data and spotter reports indicate snowflakes were observed near Clearwater, Palm Harbor, St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Bradenton during the early morning hours. Several weather stations in the region showed temperatures hovering in the mid-30s, with strong northerly winds creating a thermal profile cold enough for frozen precipitation to briefly reach the surface.
Icons and observations clustered along the Pinellas County coastline and Tampa Bay suggest the flakes were most likely light, intermittent, and short-lived, but visible enough for residents to notice — a highly unusual event for Florida.
Cold Air and Gulf Moisture Created a Brief Wintry Window
This rare setup developed as deep Arctic air moved south across Florida overnight while shallow moisture streamed inland from the Gulf of Mexico. The overlap allowed snowflakes or ice crystals to form and survive long enough to be observed before melting.
While radar returns were weak and accumulations were not expected, the temperature and wind data confirm the atmosphere briefly supported frozen precipitation in multiple locations across west-central Florida.
Temperatures and Winds Played a Critical Role
Surface temperatures across the region ranged from the low to mid-30s, with gusty north to northwest winds increasing evaporative cooling. These winds helped lower boundary-layer temperatures just enough for flakes to form, even as ground temperatures remained above freezing…