Snow-Kissed

Photographer Susan Gunn captures images from historical Winter Storm Enzo

“Sun-kissed” is a phrase often used here in our beach paradise. Our winters are brief and mild, and on sunnier days, we can even bask on the shore in swimwear during the colder months. However, on January 21 and 22 of this year, we were forced to layer up with mittens, toboggans, and down jackets.

In an unprecedented Florida weather event, Emerald Coast locals found themselves in a true winter wonderland. From Pensacola to Mexico Beach, heavy snow showers blanketed homes, forest reserves, and beaches with abundant inches of powdery snow. As the snowfall began on that Tuesday, I, like many others, bundled up in winter gear and rushed to the beach to capture photos and videos of what meteorologists referred to as a once-in-a-lifetime event.

The experience felt magical. Everywhere I looked, people were in awe, filled with childlike wonder and joy. For a brief and frosty moment, in a town where the sun almost always shines, we found ourselves “snow-kissed.” The sight of snow-covered sand and the ethereal landscape it created is a memory that those fortunate enough to have witnessed
it will not soon forget. – Susan Gunn

Photographer Susan Gunn captures landscape, weather, and skyline imagery along the Emerald Coast. To see more, visit her Instagram page, @susangunnphotography.