Page 14 - December 2023 Gears and Ears

Remembering When

By Patti Kelly

December 2023
Remember when Florida Had a White Christmas?

From December 22-26, 1989, Florida experienced one of
the most severe cold waves in its history with record-
breaking temperatures, snow, ice, sleet, and hard freezes.
Besides claiming at least 26 lives, the bad weather also shut
down power and transporta�on over much of Florida, and
caused heavy losses in the agricultural industry. Central
Florida was part of a record snow storm that brought
the white stuff to the Deep South and Southeast U.S.

More than a foot of snow fell in coastal North and
South Carolina and states south of them had lesser
but equally unexpected snow falls.
Although the snow didn’t s�ck around for long in
Central Florida, while it lasted, it was an extremely
rare sight for a region where December temperatures
are typically in the 70s. Most places only recorded a
dus�ng of the white stuff across Central Florida. In
north Florida, however, 1-3 inches of snow
accumulated. Live Oak saw the highest snow totals
with exactly 3 inches, and Jacksonville nearly picked
up an inch.

Disney had to shut down many of their
rides. Big Thunder Mountain couldn't
open at all since the ride's trains kept
speeding dangerously over the frozen

track. The cold fog that enveloped Tom
Sawyer Island had also covered the Seven
Seas Lagoon, taking down the ferryboats

and forcing all guests to access the Magic
Kingdom via monorail. The Jungle Cruise
was also closed. As were the People
Mover, Dumbo, and just about every other

outdoor ride in the park. A�er the light
snow ended, Arc�c air se�led in. Central
Florida woke up to air temperatures in the

teens and 20s on Dec. 24.

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