Sledding on boogie boards, ice hockey on Canal Street: The Gulf Coast embraces a rare snow day

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- On Wednesday, an unusual winter phenomenon gripped Florida as palm trees were dusted with snow and waves crashed on icy beaches. Floridians, thrilled by the rare sight, scrambled for sledding gear to make the most of a historic snowstorm that transformed their environment into a winter wonderland, an experience many would likely remember as a once-in-a-lifetime event.

In Tallahassee, families flocked to parks to slide down snow-covered hills on makeshift sleds. Michael Holmes shared his family's creative solutions for sledding, utilizing a boogie board and skim board to ensure their children enjoyed this unique snow day. The excitement permeated the air as children and adults alike embraced their unexpected break from routine.

Further along the Gulf Coast in North Carolina, kids experienced the novelty of sledding down snow-covered sand dunes, while New Orleans woke to a staggering 10 inches of snow. In this vibrant city, locals ingeniously celebrated the wintry surprise, fashioning snowmen decorated with Spanish moss and using inflatable pool toys and yoga mats to speed down levees. The community spirit blossomed as revelers shared the joy of snow through playful snowball fights in local parks.

James Braendel, a lifelong resident of New Orleans, amplified the fun with a social media campaign to spur on community snowball fights, allowing people of all ages to engage in light-hearted winter fun. His sentiment resonated with others who viewed the snow as a brief escape from the norm, encouraging everyone to embrace the silliness of the moment.

Southern politicians also joined in on the nostalgia, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expressing the significance of such a rare event for his children, while Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry described the snowfall as "magical." As communities came together to relish in the unexpected snowfall, the joy and novelty of the occasion brought a sense of unity and celebration across the region.