A powerful snowstorm that impacted the Texas Gulf Coast yesterday continued its path east overnight, covering Florida and Georgia airports with up to eight inches of snow. The storm caused numerous airport closures across the Gulf Coast due to the unprecedented snowfall.

In areas where temperatures typically hover around 60°F, such as Pensacola, the city’s snow removal efforts were hindered by a lack of necessary equipment. To address this, five snowplows were brought in from Atlanta, but they were used exclusively for clearing roadways. As a result, Pensacola International Airport (KPNS) was left with 7.6 inches of snow, and it is expected to remain closed until at least noon tomorrow.

According to KPNS operations, vehicles are currently driving on the runways and taxiways to break up the snow and ice, which should help with melting, particularly as temperatures are forecast to reach 38°F this afternoon. Christopher Adamson, the general manager of the Pensacola Aviation Center, shared that, as a lifelong resident, he only remembers seeing snow on the ground three times, and never more than two inches.

To the east, Tallahassee International Airport (KTLH) received around three inches of snow and is anticipated to reopen by Thursday at 6 p.m. Million Air reported that its FBO at the airport is operational and handling helicopter services. The company has arranged for extra staff to report at 11 a.m. to be ready in case the airport opens earlier than planned

As of this afternoon, several airports remain closed, including Southeast Texas Regional Airport (KBPT); in Louisiana, Lake Charles Regional (KLCH), Lafayette Regional (KLFT), Acadiana Regional (KARA), and Baton Rouge Metropolitan (KBTR) airports; Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport (KGPT) in Mississippi; and Mobile Downtown (KBFM) and Mobile Regional (KMOB) airports in Alabama. In Florida, most airports have resumed operations except for KPNS and KTLH. Georgia’s Valdosta Regional (KLVD), Southwest Georgia Regional (KABY), and Columbus (KCSG) airports, as well as Myrtle Beach International Airport (KMYR) in South Carolina, remain closed. However, many of these airports are still accommodating helicopter operations