Snow in Florida: ‘Yes, Florida has snowplows’ to clear the roads

Floridians in the panhandle were treated to a rare snow day on Tuesday, but now that the snowmen have been built, the snow angels are silhouetted on the ground and snowball fights have been had - what’s being done to remove the 7-8 inches of snow on the ground? 

Believe it or not, Florida has snowplows to remove the winter precipitation from the ground. 

Florida has snowplows

In a social media post that may have surprised native Floridians, the Department of Transportation announced that it not only has snowplows, but it also has well-trained, dedicated snowplow crews working around the clock to clear the roads. 

By the numbers:

In a press conference this week, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated that Florida has 11 snowplows. 

Snow in Florida: See photos from the winter storm

"Believe it or not, in the state of Florida, we are mobilizing snowplows," DeSantis stated. 

Florida has 11 snowplows that are clearing the streets after a historic snowfall on Tuesday. Image is courtesy of FDOT.

Florida has 11 snowplows that are clearing the streets after a historic snowfall on Tuesday. Image is courtesy of FDOT. 

Snow on Florida roads

The backstory:

Before the winter storm, DeSantis said the FDOT pre-treated and sprayed roadways and bridges with de-icing chemicals in north Florida.

Live video: Historic winter storm brings record snowfall to Florida, system moving out Wednesday

In preparation for icy roads, the governor and law enforcement agencies asked drivers to stay off the roads. 

However, several photos posted on social media show vehicles stuck in the snow and the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office reported 10 vehicles going into a ditch within 45 minutes, including one of its own patrol cars. 

The Holmes County Sheriff's Office says it responded to 10 vehicles in a ditch within 45 minutes on Tuesday. Image is courtesy of the Holmes County Sheriff's Office.

The Holmes County Sheriff's Office says it responded to 10 vehicles in a ditch within 45 minutes on Tuesday. Image is courtesy of the Holmes County Sheriff's Office. 

Tampa weather

What's next:

While it didn't snow in the Tampa Bay area, it's cold – and FOX 13 Meteorologist Dave Osterberg says low temperatures will stick around for a few more days.

After starting in the 30s in some spots, afternoon highs will again only top out in the mid-50s.

RELATED: Snow in Florida: Tampa residents woke up to a winter wonderland in 1977

Morning rain has cleared out, but we'll get one more round of showers on Thursday, Osterberg says, before we transition to drier conditions.

The Source: This story was written with information from the Florida Department of Transportation, Governor Ron DeSantis' press conference, the Holmes County Sheriff's Office and FOX 13 meteorologists. 

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