• Florida and southern states saw record-breaking snowfall, with totals reaching nearly 11 inches.
• Milton, Florida, recorded near 10 inches of snow, likely setting a new state record.
• New Orleans experienced its snowiest day in over a century, with up to 10 inches reported in some areas.
• Record low temperatures were also widespread, making conditions particularly extreme.

ATLANTA — A historic winter storm has swept across southern states, delivering a rare and unexpected blast of snow that has shattered long-standing snowfall records. This extreme weather event transformed regions typically associated with warm, sun-soaked climates into winter wonderlands, igniting enthusiasm and curiosity among residents. In New Orleans, snowballs were thrown on the vibrant Bourbon Street, while makeshift sleds like inflatable alligators and laundry baskets became popular among children seeking to slide down snow-covered levees along the Mississippi River.

Notably, near AP News, Milton, Florida, recorded an astonishing 9.8 inches (24.9 centimeters) of snow, which would eclipse the previous state record set in 1954. As meteorologist Michael Mugrage from the National Weather Service in Mobile, Alabama, remarked, “It’s an incredible, incredible event. It puts it in perspective how rare this is.” The official snow total will be confirmed after a review by the state's climate office.

In New Orleans, snowfall reached 10 inches, exceeding the previous record of just 2.7 inches set in 1963, according to Los Angeles Times. Unofficial reports suggested total accumulations could be as high as 11.5 inches in parts of the nearby Saint Bernard Parish.

The storm system's impact extended into Texas, where communities like La Porte recorded approximately 6 inches of snow, and in Alabama, Mobile Regional Airport documented 6.2 inches, setting a new one-day record for the city. All these figures reflect a dramatic departure from the region's typical winter conditions and highlight the extraordinary nature of this weather event.

Amidst these snowfalls, temperatures plunged, with many areas experiencing lows that broke previous records. In Alabama, cities like Mobile recorded frigid lows of 6 degrees Fahrenheit, while in Louisiana, New Iberia saw a low of 2 degrees, marking an all-time record. As noted by the New York Times, this unusual cold snap had residents noting that it was warmer in Anchorage, Alaska than in several southeastern cities.

This rare combination of heavy snowfall and record-low temperatures signifies a significant meteorological event in the history of the Deep South, leaving residents awestruck as they navigate this unprecedented winter wonderland.