Florida Schools Close as Winter Storm Brings Record Snowfall

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Leon County Schools announced a second consecutive snow day on Thursday, January 23, 2025, as icy road conditions persisted following a historic winter storm. The district cited hazardous driving conditions as the primary reason for the closure, which also canceled all afterschool activities.

“All LCS schools and district offices will remain closed on Thursday, January 23, 2025, due to anticipated icy road conditions tomorrow morning,” the district said in a text message to parents Wednesday afternoon. Maclay School, located on North Meridian Road, also announced its closure and will assess conditions for a possible Friday reopening.

As of midday Wednesday, Tallahassee was blanketed in an average of 2 inches of snow and ice, with freezing temperatures causing power outages and dangerous road conditions. The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning, predicting temperatures would barely rise above freezing during the day and dip again overnight, leading to refreezing of precipitation.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency on Monday, warning that the storm could bring record-breaking snowfall to the Panhandle. “I don’t have to tell anybody that we’re not necessarily used to walking in a wonderland here in Florida,” DeSantis said during a news briefing.

Widespread reports of 5 to 12 inches of snowfall were recorded around Pensacola on Tuesday evening, prompting the Florida Highway Patrol to shut down a nearly 70-mile stretch of Interstate 10. The heaviest snowfall in the state occurred in Pensacola, where spotters reported measurements of up to 12 inches.

Utility providers across the I-10 corridor prepared for weather-related outages, while airports in Tallahassee and Pensacola canceled flights. Tallahassee International Airport aimed to restore operations by noon Wednesday, but icy conditions posed significant challenges for road and air travel.

Most school districts between Jacksonville and Pensacola canceled classes on Wednesday, including major universities such as Florida State University, FAMU, and the University of Florida. Emergency officials acknowledged that pre-treatment efforts on roadways were insufficient to handle the storm’s impact.

According to the National Weather Service, the storm system developed on December 22 before moving across Florida and off the Atlantic coast. The event caused widespread power outages, severe crop damage, and arctic temperatures across the region.