Dangerous below-freezing temperatures with even colder wind chills were also expected to last over much of the week in the region. Authorities say three people have died in the cold weather.

The heaviest snowfall in the Sunshine State occurred around Pensacola, where spotters reported measuring amounts of 5 to 12 inches through Tuesday evening. Due to the hazardous weather and a series of crashes, a nearly 70-mile stretch of Interstate 10 was shut down by the Florida Highway Patrol.

Many around Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia woke up to winter conditions Wednesday morning. As the First Alert Weather Team has been saying for the last couple of weeks, the rare winter artic blast was going to cover parts of our area with snow and ice.

North Florida residents from Pensacola to Jacksonville are bracing for what is expected to be a historic, once-in-a-lifetime winter storm.

Snow fell in Florida's panhandle on Tuesday, blanketing roads, closing businesses and schools. Florida residents who had a rare snow day were seen in photos and videos making snowmen and having snowball fights. Meteorologists say the snow may stick around until Wednesday, but won't reach Tampa.

Most of north Florida is preparing for the impacts of a rare and potentially historic winter storm that is bringing snow and ice to the area, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday.