Pensacola, Florida is best known for its white beaches and warm weather. But on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, Pensacola experienced a historic snowfall. However, Tuesday’s snowfall isn’t the only time the Sunshine State has acted out of character. In 1886, Pensacola received almost two inches of snow; in 1993, Pensacola received three whole inches of snow, an all-time record. Tuesday’s snowfall broke that record with almost nine inches of snow in an eight-hour period.
Day before the Storm
Pensacola Christian College students excitedly filed into the Crowne Centre for the first chapel service of the 2025 spring semester. The weather outside was uncharacteristically cold, and whispers of possible snow the following day filled the students with visions of canceled classes and snow flurries.
After singing “His Mercy Is More,” the student body sat down and College President Dr. Shoemaker approached the podium. An air of expectancy filled the auditorium. “Students,” Dr. Shoemaker began, “I always pray for a smooth beginning for you all at the start of the semester. We attempt to control what we can, but one thing we can’t control is the weather.” He paused, looking out at the audience.
“I do hope we’ll be able to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime Pensacola experience.”
“As we follow the weather forecast, there’s potential for anywhere from a light dusting to a few inches of snow,” Dr. Shoemaker explained. “The forecasts are showing snowfall beginning at or a little after noon, so in the morning we will have in-person classes. At noon, we’ll transition to online classes. I do hope we’ll be able to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime Pensacola experience, and I hope to see pictures of you all enjoying the snow.”
“Our students had their hearts set on snowfall,” Dr. Mutsch shared, speaking of the overall atmosphere on campus. “Dr. Shoemaker and I both hoped, for the students’ sakes, that they would receive snow.”
The Snowfall of the Century
Tuesday, snow began falling around 11:30 a.m. By 1 p.m., the snow flurries became large snowflakes, and a growing blanket of snow covered campus. “By the time I got out of lunch, [the snow] was really coming down,” Dr. Mutsch shared. “Students were up on the terrace in front of the Commons already having snowball fights and just fully engaged with the elements.”
“Of course,” he continued, “I was here during the 1993 snowfall too. That time was nothing compared to this.”
Dr. Eric Bryant, a student during the 1993 snowfall, reminisced about that famous day. “It was a Saturday when we got snow,” he shared. “I worked Saturday mornings, so when I woke up at 5:30 I remember hearing guys in Ballard running down the halls and yelling that it was snowing outside.” That morning, the snow melted before noon. “But the snowmen students made didn’t fully melt until much later. It was funny seeing the contrast of snowmen sitting on green, grassy areas around campus,” Bryant said.
Just like those students in 1993, on Tuesday students frolicked and played in the snow, building snowmen and throwing snowballs. Sophomore pre-med student Gianella Molina (El Salvador) never expected to be able to enjoy snow while in Pensacola. “Even though I have seen snow before, it was a completely different feeling on campus,” she shared. “From the start, everyone was outside enjoying [the snow]. The air on campus was joyful.”
“Watching everyone get excited about the snow created such a fun atmosphere.”
Senior criminal justice student Jackson Luchene (IN) also enjoyed the snow on campus. “Watching everyone get excited about the snow created such a fun atmosphere.”
Despite the changed class schedules and unexpected snow, Common Grounds stayed open. Students flocked to the campus café, buying hot chocolate and other holiday treats to enjoy while in the snow. Ezabella Dayrit (Sr., CA) enjoyed touring a snow-covered campus with her hot chocolate in hand. “I’ve never experienced snowfall before,” she explained. “I walked around campus while it was snowing, had a snowball fight, and made a snow angel! I absolutely loved getting to experience it! It was so beautiful to see our campus covered in white.”