Home / Weather / Rare Snowfall Stuns South Florida in '77
Rare Snowfall Stuns South Florida in '77
20 Jan
Summary
- South Florida experienced its first-ever snowfall on January 19, 1977.
- An arctic front caused temperatures to plummet, enabling precipitation.
- Agricultural losses reached $350 million statewide due to freezing temperatures.
On January 19, 1977, a rare arctic cold front swept through Florida, bringing an unprecedented snowfall to the southern part of the state. Cities as far south as Miami were blanketed in snow for the first time in recorded history, a stark contrast to the region's typical warm climate.
The frigid air mass allowed precipitation to fall as snow, with even some reports from the Bahamas indicating a mix of rain and snow. While the event was a delightful surprise for many South Floridians, causing it to overshadow President Jimmy Carter's inauguration in news coverage, the sub-freezing temperatures had severe economic consequences.
The cold snap resulted in devastating losses for Florida's agricultural sector, estimated at $350 million across the state, with Dade County alone suffering over $100 million in damages. This extraordinary weather event remains a memorable anomaly, highlighting the unpredictable power of Mother Nature.
