You've heard it over and over, may have even said it yourself. This has got to be of the coldest winters in the panhandle in years. Well, you're right.

Forecasters say the last time Florida's temperatures dipped this low was 30 years ago.

"It’s called an oscillation. A temperature oscillation across the globe where cooler than normal temperatures come down across North America," Jim Loznicka, NewsChannel 7 Today meteorologist said.

For eleven straight nights in January the mercury dropped below freezing.

And yes, that's snow. In February, in the northern part of the panhandle, near the state line. It's a sight not seen for 17 years.

While snow can be an amusing diversion, this winter hasn't been all fun and games. The Panama City Rescue Mission saw a large increase in the number of tenants over the past two months.

Once the temperature dips below 40 degrees, the mission opens its doors to anyone who needs a warm place to stay.

"We've put 30 or 40 people on the floor almost every night in sleeping bags and pallets on the ground just to keep them out of the cold," Rev. Billy Fox, the mission's director said.

And all that warmth does come with a hefty price.

Some Jackson County residents saw their power bills skyrocket to well over one-thousand dollars, thanks to a 13.8 % rate hike by Florida Public Utilities in January.

Residents like Ebony Gardner say it’s a double whammy.

"I don't even know how in November, December's bill got up so high because we hadn't burned anything extra."

The frigid temperatures also stunned more than 1,200 sea turtles in St. Joe Bay.

They had to be rescued, spending recovery time in the heated pools at Gulf World Marine Park. Most have already returned home to the Gulf.

But there is some good news Warmer temperatures are on the way, which means you can stretch on back and take in a few rays, , just in time for Spring Break.

The weather's been so cold, it's even force local sports teams to move their practices indoors, or cancel them altogether.