Climatologically, it is not supposed to snow in South Florida. The laid-back tropics are a region constantly gaining energy from the sun, and with Florida's temperatures moderated by warm water on three sides, snow is unusual even in the northern reaches of the state.

A rare winter storm warning is in effect across North Florida and the Panhandle as bitter cold temperatures, along with snow, are expected to arrive. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency Sunday ahead of what some forecasters have said has the potential to be one of the worst storms in Gulf Coast history.