Climatologically, it is not supposed to snow in South Florida. The laid-back tropics are a region constantly gaining energy from the sun, and with Florida's temperatures moderated by warm water on three sides, snow is unusual even in the northern reaches of the state.

Unofficial, backyard tallies have recorded at least nine inches of snow. The previous record snowfall for Pensacola was three inches in 1895.

Pensacola awoke to subfreezing temperatures for the second day in a row as a “significant winter storm” began to roll into the area.