Historic Winter Storm Paralyzes Gulf Coast, Shatters Records

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A historic winter storm swept across the Gulf Coast this week, bringing unprecedented snowfall and icy conditions from Texas to Florida. The storm, which struck on January 23, 2025, shattered long-standing records, closed airports, crippled roadways, and claimed at least 11 lives.

From Pensacola to Tallahassee, Florida experienced its most significant snowfall in recorded history. Milton, northeast of Pensacola, recorded 9.8 inches of snow, breaking the state’s previous record. Pensacola itself saw 8.9 inches, an all-time high for the city. Tallahassee, known as America’s “Sleet Capitol,” officially recorded 1.9 inches of snow, with reports of up to 3.3 inches in northern Leon County.

“This storm was a once-in-a-generation event,” said Dr. Ryan Truchelut, chief meteorologist at WeatherTiger. “The atmospheric conditions required for snow on the Gulf Coast are exceedingly rare, making this a truly astonishing occurrence.”

The storm’s impact extended beyond Florida. Texas experienced its first-ever blizzard warning, with Beaumont recording 5.2 inches of snow. Mobile, Alabama, saw 7.5 inches, while Baton Rouge and New Orleans in Louisiana recorded 7.6 inches and 8 inches, respectively. New Orleans’ snowfall marked the city’s highest since 1895.

The storm’s severity caught many by surprise. “Models often struggle with extremely rare events like this,” Truchelut explained. “The unusually warm Gulf waters likely provided more moisture than anticipated, leading to heavier snowfall.”

The aftermath of the storm has been deadly. In Dale County, Alabama, one person died in a house fire after using a stove for warmth, while another was killed in a car accident. Georgia reported a hypothermia-related death, and Texas saw five fatalities in a multi-vehicle crash on icy roads. In South Carolina, a 71-year-old man died while shoveling snow.

As the region begins to recover, an extreme cold warning remains in effect for parts of the Gulf Coast, with temperatures expected to drop as low as 12 degrees. Louisiana, experiencing its coldest temperatures in over a century, has urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel.

Despite the challenges, the storm brought moments of wonder. “It was nice to forecast extreme weather that brought something other than stress and misery,” Truchelut reflected. “This storm connected people to each other and to their communities in a unique way.”

As temperatures rise into the 50s and 60s by Sunday, the Gulf Coast will begin to thaw. But for now, the region remains in the grip of a winter storm that will be remembered for generations.