A rare and unexpected snowfall swept across North Florida earlier this week, transforming the landscape into a winter wonderland. Snow blanketed beaches, turning sandy shores into a surreal scene with palm trees covered in snow This unusual weather event captured the attention of locals and visitors alike,

It was so cold across Florida on Thursday morning that temperatures in at least four cities were colder than in Alaska, but a desperately needed warmup was on the way for millions of Americans in the South following a deadly winter storm unmatched in decades.

Tallahassee was forecast to get two or three inches of snow ... That led to a cascade of closures Thursday, including Leon County Schools and Florida State University. City and county offices and the airport were expected to open after noon Thursday.

Snow totals in the inconceivable 4-6” range are a possibility. The all-time Florida snow record of 4” from Milton in 1954 is in serious danger of falling in the next 24 hours.

The National Weather Service has issued extreme cold warnings, cold weather advisories and freeze warnings for Florida.

Many Floridians in Tallahassee witnessed snow for the first time, taking the chance to start snowball fights and build snowmen, WCTV reported. However, snow turned to sleet and left behind frozen cars and streets.

Storm Warning is in effect for the entire Interstate 10 corridor where snow and ice accumulations could reach 4" over the next 24 hours. Pensacola will likely see the most snowfall in the state while greater amounts of ice are anticipated for cities such as Tallahassee and Jacksonville.

Most cold weather-related warnings had expired across the U.S., but frigid temperatures remained in place across much of Florida.

Officials are asking Panhandle residents to avoid being on the roads. Freezing temperatures mean icy, dangerous conditions.

Moody, 49, becomes the second woman to represent Florida in the U.S. Senate, after Paula Hawkins, a Republican who served one term in the 1980s.

A reporter with the joint Tallahassee Bureau for the Miami Herald and Tampa Bay Times literally got her first taste of snow on Wednesday.