Snow in Florida: See photos from the winter storm

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Floridians saw something they are not used to seeing on Tuesday- snow! 

Snowflakes fell in Florida’s panhandle as images of it collecting at the stateline were shared on social media. 

Snow in Florida photos

Snow impacts

On Monday, Governor Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency ahead of the expected winter storm. 

The snow, which prompted the first-ever blizzard warning for the Gulf Coast, closed the Destin-Fort Walton Airport and delayed flights in Tampa. 

It also blanketed the roadways and made for driving conditions that were unfamiliar to most Floridians. 

Courtesy: Florida Highway Patrol

The Florida Highway Patrol, along with law enforcement agencies across the panhandle, encouraged motorists to stay at home. 

Many county offices and schools, including Florida State University and FAMU, were closed for rare snow days on Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Jacksonville International Airport also closed at about 8 p.m. Tuesday due to winter weather conditions expected to impact Northeast Florida. The airport said it anticipated reopening at around noon on Wednesday. 

Florida Snow Day

With many people off from work and school on Tuesday, many ventured outdoors to play in the snow. 

Video and photos posted by the Pensacola Police Department show officers gathering snow and having a snowball fight with children. 

Courtesy: Pensacola Police Department. 

Snow in Tampa

FOX 13 meteorologists say it is unlikely to snow in Tampa this week, but it did 48 years ago. 

RELATED: Snow in Florida: Tampa residents woke up to a winter wonderland in 1977

Snow fell in Tampa on Jan. 19, 1977. 

Residents who remember that day say it's something they won't ever forget as they bundled up, made mini-snowmen and had snowball fights. 

Why doesn't it snow in Tampa?

What they're saying:

FOX 13 meteorologists said in order for it to snow in the Bay Area, a tremendous amount of arctic air needs to arrive while the precipitation is still around. 

They say a massive cold front would have to come through and drop temperatures below freezing ahead of a disturbance that would bring precipitation. The problem is that there needs to be clear skies at night in order to get freezing temperatures at the surface. 

Plus, the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico don’t help increase the chances for snow.

Also, having the Gulf of Mexico right next to us, combined with the whole atmosphere having to drop below freezing, makes it difficult for the Bay Area to get snow.

Tampa weather forecast

Local perspective:

While the snow and ice will stay north of the Bay Area, FOX 13 Meteorologist Dave Osterberg says cold rain will "funnel in from time to time" throughout Tuesday, with the afternoon high staying in the 50s.

Rainfall should continue through Wednesday morning as lows drop to the 40s again, with 30s possible in our northern zones.

Accumulating snow is expected across a wide stretch of north Florida on Tuesday and Wednesday. A winter storm warning is in effect.

One more round of showers will move through on Thursday, according to Osterberg, before we clear out in time for the weekend.

On Saturday, temperatures could reach the low 60s in Tampa for the annual Gasparilla Pirate Fest. Then on Sunday, the 70s will make a comeback with the warming trend continuing into next week.

STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: