Why did it snow in Florida in1977?

Answer 1

January 1977 was at the height of the very cold USA winter of 1976-1977. During mid month a very strong arctic airmass slipped south into the United States, reaching all the way to Florida. On January 18th snow started falling across the northern sections of the state, and by the morning of the 19th flurries were spotted as far south as Miami! Total accumulations from the rare snow event ranged from 1-2" in north Florida to a dusting-2" in central Florida to only a trace in south Florida. The 1977 cold and snow ranks as one of the most severe winter events to occur in the state of Florida during the course of the last 150 years. Other comparable events would include the 1899 Florida "blizzard", and the 1989 Christmas freeze/winter storm. Both of these events also brought accumulating snow/sleet/ice well south into Florida (including Tampa and Orlando). However, only the 1977 event was able to bring flurries of snow all the way to Miami.