Freeze warnings are issued in Florida as the polar cold front approaches

November 30, 2024

Welcome to winter! A freeze warning was in effect for Pensacola and other areas in the western Panhandle this morning as a blast of wintry air swept across the eastern U.S. and a cold front moved in from the Gulf of Mexico.

Freezing temperatures of up to 30 degrees are expected again in the area this evening from midnight to 7 a.m. CST and until 9 a.m. for the eastern portions of the Panhandle and Big Bend area.

“Take steps now to protect sensitive plants from the cold,” the NWS said. “To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes, they should be wrapped, drained or allowed to slowly drain. Anyone who has in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing.”

In many parts of the country it snowed for the first time on the Thanksgiving holiday. Cold air and rain hit New York and Vermont, and parts of the Midwest reached their lowest temperatures since last February. Arctic air is expected to move across the eastern United States through next week, flowing southeast in waves, AccuWeather meteorologists said.

Elsewhere, a slow-moving front over Florida will bring showers and thunderstorms across parts of the central Gulf Coast into Florida today, the National Weather Service said, with isolated light rain along the East Coast after it passes Saturday. A second cold front moving east from the Atlantic is expected to move across the state on Sunday, adding to chilly temperatures.

Temperatures in Northeast Florida are forecast to climb into the low 40s this evening and fall into the high 30s by Monday evening, with daytime highs of 60 degrees.

When does winter officially begin?

Depends on how you define it. The meteorological start of winter is on Sunday, December 1st.

The winter solstice, when we experience the shortest day and longest night of the year, is Saturday, December 21st at 4:21 a.m. EST.

How low will temperatures drop in Florida this weekend?

According to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the coldest temperatures of the season will arrive late this weekend and early next week, particularly across North Florida.

Feel-like temperatures Sunday morning will be in the upper 20s to low 30s (28-32 degrees) across much of the Panhandle and Big Bend, with feel-like temperatures in the mid to upper 30s along the coast and Suwannee Valley -Area .

Across the rest of the state, low temperatures will fall to the mid to upper 40s to lower 50s in Central Florida and the upper 50s to upper 60s in South Florida.

Where in Florida will there be freezing temperatures?

Overnight Sunday will likely see the first frost of the season as low temperatures fall to near and below freezing (30-34 degrees) across the I-10 corridor. According to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, a freeze warning is likely in effect for several interior areas along the I-10 corridor and widespread frost is possible.

Feeling temperatures early Monday morning will fall to the mid to upper 20s across northern Florida, the low to mid 30s across the Northern Peninsula and Nature Coast, and the mid to upper 30s in interior central Florida toward Lake Okeechobee.

From early Saturday morning, temperatures will drop to as low as 30°C and there will be isolated light frosts in the Wiregrass region.

Along Florida’s east coast, the coldest night is expected to be Monday and Tuesday night, when lows are expected to be between 40 and near 50 degrees, according to the National Weather Service, Melbourne. Further inland in Central Florida, nighttime temperatures may drop to over 30°C.

South Florida can expect cooler than usual temperatures as the cold front passes, with lows in the mid to upper 40s near Lake Okeechobee and inland Southwest Florida.

Meteorologists said temperatures will rise again on Wednesday and Thursday.

Frost is also forecast for Florida

According to the National Weather Service Tallahassee, the first widespread freeze of the season is expected Sunday morning outside of the immediate coast and the Big Bend. Nighttime temperatures in North Florida are expected to hover around or just below freezing through next week, with daytime highs barely rising above 60 degrees.

Temperatures will be dangerous for vulnerable populations. Therefore, make sure you have enough protection for yourself, your pets and plants.

According to the National Weather Service Jacksonville, there is a risk of frost in North Central Florida on Sunday night. A northwesterly breeze should protect coastal areas from frost and subzero temperatures. There is a risk of a light frost in the area on Monday evening.

Does early December bring snow to Florida?

Don’t rely on it. It will be cold (for us) and you should pay attention to the freeze warnings and freeze warnings, but these cold fronts will be followed by dry air.

“Right now there is no chance of snow here over the holiday weekend and into the first week of December,” David Reese, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Tallahassee, said in a telephone interview Wednesday morning.

“Really dry air is coming in behind the fronts. There will be some moisture as the front moves through, leading to showers through Friday morning, but the cold air won’t arrive until later.”

The same conditions are expected in the western Panhandle and northeast Florida: cold but dry and clear, with no snow expected.

“Our little part of Florida is not expecting snow. After the front breaks through, northwest Florida will be dry,” said Steve Miller, meteorologist with the National Weather Service Mobile.

“It will be quite dry and windy, with a chance of freezing inland on Saturday and Sunday,” said Angie Enyedi, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Jacksonville.

“Monday night looks to be the coldest night, with a frost as far east as Duval County. Some places may reach the severe frost criteria of 28 degrees, but it will remain dry and clear,” she said.

Has it ever snowed in Florida?

Yes, it has. Even though it doesn’t snow every year, it still appears, much to the delight of residents.

According to the Florida Climate Center, the first documented report of snow in Florida was reported in 1774.

“Since 1886, there have been more than 80 months in which at least a trace of snow was reported anywhere in the state,” the Climate Center reported.

How far south did it snow in Florida?

Miami Beach. Really.

According to the National Weather Service, snow fell in South Florida on January 19, 1977 for the first time in recorded history.

Snow was seen throughout Southeast Florida as far south as Homestead and even Miami Beach. Weather observers also reported snow in West Palm Beach, LaBelle, Hollywood and the Royal Palm Ranger Station in deep south Miami-Dade County.

“Residents and visitors were both surprised and delighted by the rare phenomena, and local newspapers generated headlines nearly as big as major national or world events,” the weather service reported.

According to the weather service, every reporting station in north and central Florida recorded at least a trace of snow.

Tampa measured 0.20 inches and Plant City, east of Tampa, measured up to 2 inches.

Will iguanas fall from trees during Florida cold snap?

That depends on how cold it gets in the iguana areas of Florida.

Officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said iguanas can become immobile or lethargic in temperatures between 40 and 50 degrees.

Because they tend to climb trees, paralyzed iguanas can lose their footing and fall in very cold weather. The condition is temporary and they become active as they warm up.

Current forecasts are for temperatures to drop into the low 50s Sunday and Monday evening, potentially impacting some iguana populations, particularly in Collier and Lee counties.

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