The Atacama Desert, Chile, is considered the driest place on earth. Much of the desert receives less than half an inch of rainfall per year, and some areas none at all for hundreds of years.
© John MooreThe Atacama Desert, Chile, is considered the driest place on earth. Much of the desert receives less than half an inch of rainfall per year, and some areas none at all for hundreds of years.
Mother Nature is unpredictable, and sometimes it can snow in places where most people think it could never happen. Even some of the hottest places on Earth have recorded snow, like the Sahara Desert. This past January, parts of the Gulf Coast were hit by a snowstorm that brought snow to Florida, Alabama, Texas, and Louisiana.

Snow is usually found in cold climates, but the right mix of temperature, elevation, and moisture can bring snowfall to even the most unexpected places. However, this year, a very rare and disruptive snowstorm swept across the Southeast, including areas that don't traditionally see snow. The historic snowstorm brought snow to the northern Gulf Coast on January 21, 2025. This snowstorm shattered longstanding snowfall records across the region, which were set during the February snowstorm of 1895. It's a harsh reminder that if the perfect conditions come together, even snow can fall in places where it usually does not.

This snowstorm hit many Gulf states, including Florida, which received its heaviest snowfall in history, with 8.8 inches recorded in Milton, breaking the state's 130-year-old record for total snowfall. Parts of Louisiana saw records fall as up to 9 inches of snow fell throughout the state, and New Orleans saw 8 inches of snow, which broke its previous snowfall record of 2.7 inches in 1963. Houston saw 3 inches of snow, which was its third snowiest day on record. Even parts of Alabama were affected by this snowstorm. Mobile reported 7.5 inches of snow, which broke the previous record of 3.6 inches of snow in 1973.

Throughout history, places around the world have seen snow fall in areas that many people consider impossible for snow to fall. In 1977, it once snowed in Miami; however, the weather observer at the airport did not officially record any snowfall because the accumulation melted too fast. The weather observer did note that they received widespread reports of snow locally. The Bahamas saw snow on the same day as a mix of rain and snow. The farthest south snow had been previously observed in Florida was along a Fort Myers to Fort Pierce line in February 1899.

Another place where people think it would never snow is Death Valley. It is the hottest location on Earth and has topped the 130-degree mark three times in recorded history. It is drier than the Sahara Desert, and in 1922, it recorded a half-inch of snow. Believe it or not, snow has fallen in Death Valley five other times throughout history, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), but those were traces of snow, and the 1922 snowfall was the only time it was recorded.

This year's snowstorms show how wild weather can be, dumping snow in places like Texas and Louisiana that rarely see it. From record-breaking snow in Florida to rare flakes in Death Valley years ago, these events prove that with the right conditions, snow can fall almost anywhere. As the weather continues to change, it's no surprise that we'll see more unusual snow events in the future, and it's essential to be prepared for them.

Photos: Unexpected Snow In 2025

Florida

On January 20, 2025, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency ahead of dangerously cold wind chills and prolonged freezing and sub-freezing temperatures.
© Luis Santana/Tampa Bay TimesOn January 20, 2025, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency ahead of dangerously cold wind chills and prolonged freezing and sub-freezing temperatures.
Louisiana

A statue of Pete Fountain is covered in snow inside New Orleans Musical Legends Park on Bourbon Street on January 21, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
© Michael DeMockerA statue of Pete Fountain is covered in snow inside New Orleans Musical Legends Park on Bourbon Street on January 21, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Alabama

Snow at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama on January 10, 2025.
© Talladega SuperspeedwaySnow at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama on January 10, 2025.
North Carolina

Snow on Evans Street in Morehead City, North Carolina, on January 22, 2025.
© Janice RoweSnow on Evans Street in Morehead City, North Carolina, on January 22, 2025.
Texas

People walk past the 1900 Storm memorial sculpture on Seawall Blvd. during an icy winter storm on Jan. 21, 2025, in Galveston, Texas.
© Brett Coomer/Houston ChroniclePeople walk past the 1900 Storm memorial sculpture on Seawall Blvd. during an icy winter storm on Jan. 21, 2025, in Galveston, Texas.
Sahara Desert, Algeria

On January 1, 2025, snow fell in the Sahara Desert near the town of Ain Sefra, Algeria.
© Geoff RobinsonOn January 1, 2025, snow fell in the Sahara Desert near the town of Ain Sefra, Algeria.
Argentina

Rare snow transformed Argentina’s Atlantic coast into a winter wonderland
© Leandro CaserioRare snow transformed Argentina’s Atlantic coast into a winter wonderland on June 30, 2025, as an intense polar cold front swept across the country, blanketing beaches and resort towns in Buenos Aires Province.
Atacama Desert, Chile

On June 25, 2025, NASA released an image that gives a mesmerizing, bird’s eye view of an unusual event in what’s
© NASA Earth Observatory/Wanmei LiangOn June 25, 2025, NASA released an image that gives a mesmerizing, bird’s eye view of an unusual event in what’s widely considered the driest non-polar place on Earth – the Atacama Desert.
Hawaii

On February 3, 2025, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory crews on a monitoring overflight of Kīlauea summit had excellent views of the snow-capped Mauna Kea.
© USGS/K. Lynn.On February 3, 2025, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory crews on a monitoring overflight of Kīlauea summit had excellent views of the snow-capped Mauna Kea.