When is the cold front coming to Florida? Where it’s expected to freeze, snow
It’s cold and going to get colder, after temperatures inch up a bit.
But for Florida, it doesn’t look like long-range forecasts issued last week will come true, which means it may not get as cold and the slight chance for a few snow flurries in some locations have dropped to “don’t count it.”
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Snow is continuing to fall across Mid-Atlantic states Tuesday as cold-weary Americans turn their attention to what The Weather Channel is calling Winter Storm Cora.
The National Weather Service has issued winter storm watches for the system, which is expected to bring a threat of snow, sleet and freezing rain to Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana by Wednesday night or Thursday.
“In places that don’t get snow or ice very often, such as Austin, Dallas, Little Rock, and Nashville, it will be a big deal,” AccuWeather meteorologist Tom Kines told USA TODAY Monday.
Weather watches and warnings issued across the US
Weather alerts issued in Florida
Could winter storm affect Cotton Bowl in Texas?
The Cotton Bowl is scheduled to take place at 6:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 10, between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, which is west of Dallas.
AccuWeather warned snowfall in the area from Thursday morning into Friday morning could reach 3 to 6 inches. The snow could pose travel problems for those heading to the game.
Will there be snow in Florida this week or during the weekend?
Sorry. There probably won’t be a snow day for kids who just returned to school after the winter break.
“There’s no chance for snow,” said Adam Douty, AccuWeather senior meteorologist in a telephone interview Tuesday morning. “It’s cold but there’s no precipitation around. It’ll just be cold and dry.”
The National Weather Service Tallahassee agreed, saying there currently is a “non-zero chance for winter precip” even for southeast Alabama and southwest Georgia. “Everything has to come together just right for any amount of confidence to increase.”
The National Weather Service Jacksonville said chances for snow are low, less than 5 percent, even in southeast Georgia.
That doesn’t mean it won’t be cold in Florida over the weekend. Expect below-temperatures to continue, with widespread inland freeze and frost Saturday and Sunday nights in some areas.
How cold could it get in Florida?
Low temperatures expected across Florida and the U.S. on Jan. 12, 2025.
The next cold front is expected to reach the Panhandle and northern half of Florida late Friday or Saturday, reaching southern portions of the state Sunday, Jan. 12.
Expect the coldest nights to be Saturday and Sunday. Even so, it doesn’t look as if temperatures will get as cold as originally expected, Douty said.
North and Central Florida could see temperatures drop into the low 40s both nights. Even Gainesville and Ocala in Central Florida could be close to freezing. If not freezing, frost is certainly possible.
By Monday, it’ll start to warm up but expect temperatures to remain chilly into the middle of the week, with temperatures hovering in the low to mid-30s across the Panhandle and North Florida, Douty said.
Temperatures will be a little below average for this time of year, but not by much.
What is a freeze warning?
Freeze warnings are issued when temperatures are forecast to be below 32 degrees for several hours within the next 24 hours, according to the National Weather Service.
A hard freeze warning is issued if the temperature is expected to be below 28 degrees for at least three hours.
Plants left outdoors may be killed.
Hard freezes occur in rural areas in the interior of South Florida about once every 10 years, and less frequently along coastal metropolitan areas.
What is a freeze watch?
A freeze watch is issued when there is a potential for significant, widespread freezing temperatures within the next 24 to 36 hours, the National Weather Service said.
The potential for frost will be mentioned in a public forecast if it is expected, according to the National Weather Service.
Plants left outdoors may be damaged.
Is there a special warning if frost is expected in Florida?
Temperatures between 33 and 36 degrees, with clear skies and light winds over a widespread area are conditions that could bring frost.
Frost can occur even with temperatures in the mid 30s if there are adequate moisture and calm wind, the Weather Service said.
What is wind chill?
The wind chill temperature is how cold it feels outside.
The combination of wind and and low temperatures increase the rate of heat loss from exposed skin, according to the National Weather Service.
“As the wind increases, it draws heat from the body, driving down skin temperature and eventually the internal body temperature.”
The wind chill can make it feel like it is much colder outside than what the actual temperature is, the Florida Division of Emergency Management said.
How do you prepare for cold weather in Florida?
How to prepare for cold weather in Florida.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management offered these tips to stay safe during cold weather:
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Protect Pipes: Cover pipes and allow outdoor faucets to slowly drip to prevent them from freezing and breaking.
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Practice Fire Safety: Use safe heating sources indoors. Do not use fuel-burning devices such as grills; they release carbon monoxide, which is a deadly gas. Also, make sure to use space heaters according to their instructions and be attentive to open flames.
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Protect People: Remember to dress in layers and wear a hat and gloves. It is important to try to stay out of the wind and to stay dry.
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Protect Pets: If cold weather is in the forecast, be sure to bring outdoor pets inside or give them a warm shelter to stay in.
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Protect Plants: Cover cold sensitive plants to protect them from the dangerous temperatures.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Will it snow in Florida? How low FL temperatures will get