Live video: Historic winter storm brings record snowfall to Florida

TAMPA, Fla. - The winter storm that moved through Florida on Tuesday and into Wednesday is one for the record books, smashing the previous all-time high for snowfall in the Sunshine State.

How much snow fell in Florida?

By the numbers:

According to the National Weather Service, Milton – which is in the Panhandle northeast of Pensacola – received 8.8 inches of snow. That's more than double the previous state record of 4 inches, also in Milton in 1954.

Record-setting snow blanketed the Florida Panhandle, with a new record set in Milton. (Courtesy: Leonard Palmer.)

Pensacola received about 5 inches of snow, with some areas around the city approaching 7–8 inches, according to FOX Weather.

Record-setting snow fell as a winter storm moved through north Florida. Parts of Louisiana and Alabama also set records.

Snow also blanketed Tallahassee and the Big Bend region, then moved east all the way to Jacksonville, where freezing rain, sleet and a few snow flurries were reported in the area.

Even the Emerald Coast got snow, with 2–3 inches reported in areas like Destin and Panama City Beach.

Pictured: Niceville, Florida (near Destin).

"We haven't seen snowfall totals in the South like this since 1895," FOX 13 Meteorologist Dave Osterberg said.

Snow in Florida: See photos from the winter storm

It's important to note that it could take days to verify all snow reports.

Timeline:

Snow made its way to the Florida Panhandle on Tuesday afternoon, with multiple inches reported before sunset in places like Pensacola, where snowfall rates topped an inch per hour.

By nightfall, snow covered a wide stretch of I-10, forcing its closure along a 65-mile stretch.

On Tuesday night, it was Jacksonville's turn for a mix of wintry precipitation, with snow in some areas – particularly farther north into southeast Georgia.

That precipitation continued coming down Wednesday morning before moving offshore.

A winter storm warning remains in effect for portions of northern and northeast Florida until 1 p.m.

Temperatures in north Florida will remain cold in the coming days, too, so the snow and ice will not melt quickly.

Winter storm's impact on Florida

Big picture view:

Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a State of Emergency ahead of the storm's arrival.

The snow led to major closures in north Florida, including Tallahassee International Airport and Jacksonville International Airport halting all flights on Tuesday. Jacksonville's airport has reopened, but Tallahasee Int'l's operations will remain suspended until 1 p.m. Thursday.

A nearly 70-mile stretch of I-10 is also shut down from mile marker 5 in Pensacola to mile marker 70 near the Okaloosa-Walton County line, while another 40-mile portion of I-10 is closed from mile marker 152 in Jackson County to mile marker 192 in Gadsden County, just west of the Leon County line.

Many school districts and colleges across north Florida canceled classes for Tuesday and Wednesday, as well.

The storm knocked out power to tens of thousands of utility customers in hard-hit areas, with more than 34,000 affected as of 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Tampa Bay area forecast

What's next:

While it didn't snow in the Tampa Bay area, it's cold – and FOX 13 Meteorologist Dave Osterberg says low temperatures will stick around for a few more days.

After starting in the 30s in some spots, afternoon highs will again only top out in the mid-50s.

Tampa Bay area braces for cold nights ahead; here's what you need to know

Morning rain has cleared out, but we'll get one more round of showers on Thursday, Osterberg says, before we transition to drier conditions.

The Bay Area could get one more round of cold showers on Thursday before we clear out, according to meteorologists.

As for our next warmup, that won't start until Saturday when temps should reach about 60 degrees with more sunshine for the Gasparilla Pirate Fest in Tampa.

Sunday is when we'll really feel warmer, according to Osterberg, with a return to the 70s for afternoon highs as we head into next week.

Temperatures will remain cold in the Bay Area until this weekend, meteorologists say.

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