Florida has once again recorded an unusual phenomenon for the so-called “sunshine state”: snow.
On Sunday, January 18, the town of Marianna in Jackson County, in the northwestern part of the state, became the epicenter of the event, where snowfall was reported for several hours.
According to Rubén Capote, head of meteorology of Telemundoit is estimated that accumulation could reach between one and three inches in certain areas.
“We have a winter storm warning, so if you drive, do so with caution,” he warned.
“At the moment we are not seeing any accumulation on the roads and it is likely that we may not have it as the surface is still a little warm. However, on the grass, on the cars, we would without a doubt see that wintry precipitation in the form of snow,” he detailed.
The event follows a period of intense cold that began last Friday when the south of Florida woke up to the coldest air in nearly four years.
On that day, minimum temperatures in interior Broward and Miami-Dade counties were around 40°F, with the wind chill as high as 30°F. Widespread frost was detected in the northern part of the state, including the Tampa Bay region, and temperatures were near freezing.
Experts then announced a new cold front expected to cross the state on Sunday, with temperatures continuing to drop.
These conditions are forecast to continue into the middle of next week, creating an extended period of low temperatures for Florida conditions.
Given this situation, the Miami-Dade Fire and Rescue Department has made comprehensive recommendations to protect individuals, households, pets and plants.
The most important measures include the recommendation to stay at home as much as possible, to pay attention to the most vulnerable – children, the elderly and those with chronic diseases – and to dress in layers of loose clothing when going out, paying particular attention to the head and ears.
Pets should have warm shelter out of the wind, while potted plants should be brought indoors, placed in well-lit areas and kept away from drafts. Outdoors, trees and plants should be well watered to reduce the risk of cold damage.
It is recommended to use central heating in the household wherever possible. When choosing portable electric heaters, one should ensure that they are certified by accredited laboratories and approved by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
Users must follow the manufacturer’s instructions, keep the devices clean and place them on solid surfaces, avoiding wet areas and damaged cables.
It is also insisted not to use coal, grill or oven for heating, as well as to create a zone free from children and pets around the heating devices.
The department summarized its advice in the “4 Ps of cold safety“: pay attention to vulnerable people, protect pets, care for plants and exercise caution when using heating devices.
Authorities insist on turning off and unplugging devices when leaving the room or going to sleep, as well as keeping smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in good working order.
This phenomenon is putting Florida back in the spotlight of weather reporting, as snow and extreme temperatures represent an unusual event that serves as a reminder of the importance of preparing for atypical climatic changes in the state.
