When most people think of 30A, they picture sunny days, warm breezes, and pristine white sandy beaches stretching along Florida’s Gulf Coast. On Tuesday, something extraordinary happened—our usually sun-soaked beaches were blanketed in a rare layer of snow.

For locals and visitors alike, it was an event that will go down in history. In the midst of an unusually cold winter front, parts of the Florida Panhandle—including the iconic beaches of 30A—experienced up to 6 inches of snow.

It was a sight few people thought they would ever witness in this tropical paradise, with snow covering the beaches of 30A, transforming our familiar beach towns into a winter wonderland.

This snowfall was a true rarity. According to the Florida Climate Center, the last time snow fell this heavily on the Panhandle was 32 years ago, on March 12, 1993. That was when a powerful “superstorm” dumped up to four inches of snow across parts of the state, including the Panhandle. Before that, it had been 71 years since such a snowfall had been recorded, when 4 inches of snow blanketed the area around Milton Experimental Station on March 6, 1954.

“I don’t have to tell anybody that we’re not necessarily used to walking in a winter wonderland here in Florida,” Governor Ron DeSantis remarked during a news briefing at the state’s emergency operations center, a statement that captures the surreal nature of the event. Florida’s residents are more accustomed to flip-flops and beach towels than snow boots and snow shovels, which is why the snowstorm on 30A left so many in awe.

As the snowflakes fell on the sugar-white sands of 30A, social media quickly filled with pictures of beachgoers posing with snow falling on the gulf.

30A’s iconic landscapes transformed into a snowy playground, blending magic and fun. In Seaside’s central circle, people used boogie boards and pool floats as makeshift sleds, sliding down gentle slopes that normally see barefoot children chasing bubbles. Snowmen, complete with seashells and driftwood accessories, popped up along the shoreline, their frosty shapes standing proudly against the backdrop of the Gulf. It was a surreal mix of snow and sand that felt straight out of a dream.

Floridians may not have snowstorms on the regular, but we sure know how to enjoy a snow day at the beach. Truly, there’s no better place to enjoy a snow day than on 30A!