This past week’s cold snap, with images of snow in north Florida, has stirred memories of that moment decades ago when South Florida itself experienced a rare snow show.

Climatologically, it is not supposed to snow in South Florida. The laid-back tropics are a region constantly gaining energy from the sun, and with Florida's temperatures moderated by warm water on three sides, snow is unusual even in the northern reaches of the state.

Satellite imagery from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Wednesday showed the extent of the snow that covered the South.