Numerous bridges in the western Panhandle remain closed Thursday morning because of the icy conditions.

Officials hoped conditions would improve by Thursday afternoon, but urged residents to stay off the roads through the morning.

Pensacola International Airport is not expected to reopen until 9 a.m. Thursday.

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Schools in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties remained closed Thursday.

The region hasn't seen snow and ice for years. It had a dusting of snow that melted quickly in 2010. It has been more than a decade since the area had snow that remained on the ground for a while, according to weather records. Farther west, officials in Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties also announced numerous bridge and road closings and encouraged residents to stay inside and off the streets until the ice melts. Residents in normally sunny vacation destinations including Fort Walton Beach and Destin were urged to remain indoors and off the icy roads. Temperatures are expected to rebound nicely. They'll reach near 50 Thursday afternoon and hit the upper 60s by Sunday. 

(MORE: Live Updates | Photos from Winter Storm Leon)

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