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Winter Storm Blankets Southeast: Snow and Cold Ahead

1/21/2026

34 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A winter storm delivered unusual snowfall to Florida and Georgia, affecting the Southeast and East Coast.
On January 20, the National Weather Service (NWS) reported up to three inches of snow in Georgia, with Monticello the heaviest.
Warnings for slippery roads stretched from Philadelphia to Boston, with some locales seeing up to six inches.
A larger storm is forecast later this week, with temperatures potentially dropping 30 degrees below average.

History

Historical Context

The Great Blizzard of 1888, which struck from March 11 to 14, resulted in over 400 deaths and paralyzed cities along the East Coast, including New York and Boston. This severe storm, characterized by up to 50 inches of snow and winds exceeding 60 mph, prompted infrastructure changes, such as moving telegraph lines underground. Today's unusual snowfall in Florida and Georgia echoes the unpredictable nature of winter storms.

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Story summary

A winter storm delivered unusual snowfall to Florida and Georgia, affecting the Southeast and East Coast.
On January 20, the National Weather Service (NWS) reported up to three inches of snow in Georgia, with Monticello the heaviest.
Warnings for slippery roads stretched from Philadelphia to Boston, with some locales seeing up to six inches.
A larger storm is forecast later this week, with temperatures potentially dropping 30 degrees below average.

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