For the second winter in a row, a dusting of snow transformed a small slice of Florida into a fleeting winter wonderland, while more traditional cold-weather regions braced for disruptive conditions affecting everything from NFL playoffs to travel.
Rare Southern Snow Makes a Return
On Sunday morning, snow briefly covered grass and rooftops in parts of the western Florida Panhandle. A rush of frigid air behind a cold front turned the last rain showers into snowflakes in the Sunshine State. This event marks the second year in a row for such a phenomenon, following a more significant snowfall on January 21, 2025, which dumped up to 8 inches (20 centimeters) in some areas—the heaviest in over a century for many locales.
Social media was quickly filled with images of the unusual sight: a few flakes on beaches, snow nestled in palm fronds, and a light dusting on lawns. The snow was too warm to stick to roads and melted quickly, but it provided a rare spectacle. The southern snow wasn't confined to Florida; southeastern Alabama and southern Georgia also reported snow in some areas, celebrating their second winter wonderland in less than a year.
Playoff Football Faces Winter's Wrath
Meanwhile, the winter weather promised to interfere with NFL playoff action in cities more accustomed to the cold. In New England, three to five inches (7 to 13 centimeters) of snow was predicted for Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts during the afternoon and evening. This coincided with the New England Patriots hosting the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium.
National Weather Service meteorologist Kyle Pederson noted that Boston-area fans could expect "wet and heavy" snow showers, with the heaviest accumulation expected around 7 p.m., well after the game's 3 p.m. kickoff. "There’s a low-pressure system passing offshore and it’s close enough to bring us some snow, but far enough away not to be a major hit," Pederson explained.
In Chicago, where the Bears hosted the Los Angeles Rams, significant snow accumulation was not the primary concern. Instead, temperatures in the teens with a wind chill near zero posed the main challenge for players and fans alike.
Upper Midwest Under Blizzard Warning
The most severe conditions were forecast for the Upper Midwest. A blizzard warning was in effect until 9 p.m. local time for parts of northwest and west-central Minnesota and southeast North Dakota. While snow accumulation was expected to be limited to around two inches (5 centimeters), the dangerous factor was the wind. Forecasters warned that wind gusts up to 55 mph (88 kph) could create whiteout conditions, making travel hazardous and potentially life-threatening.
Officials in affected areas across Georgia and the Midwest urged caution, warning that even small amounts of snow could make travel treacherous in spots. The series of weather events underscores a dynamic and impactful winter pattern affecting regions from the subtropical south to the northern plains.
