Florida won’t be getting a break from subfreezing temperatures any time soon as AccuWeather meteorologists warn of a second major winter storm that is expected to have the potential for damaging freezes along the central Gulf Coast and the Florida Peninsula between Thursday and Sunday.
The brunt of the storm, now dubbed Winter Storm Cora by The Weather Channel, will be felt across an 800-mile stretch between northern Texas to western Tennessee and Kentucky, where an estimated 3 to 6 inches of snow could fall. Those areas, along with northern Louisiana, northeastern Georgia, South Carolina and western North Carolina, will likely see some ice impact from the storm.
Areas hit the hardest will likely see millions impacted by power outages, hazardous road conditions and potential flight cancellations. AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno says it won’t be an exact repeat of the first storm, however.
“This will not be a repeat of the big ice storm across the southern Plains this past weekend.” Rayno said. “However, impacts will reach farther south with this storm. A little ice can cause massive problems in southern cities and towns.”
Winter Storm Cora will bring cold rain to the Florida Panhandle, Tallahassee and Jacksonville
Winter Storm Cora will bring subfreezing temperatures to Florida through mid-January.
If subfreezing temperatures weren’t bad enough, AccuWeather meteorologists say cold rain will hit areas along the Interstate 10 corridor stretching from Houston, Texas, through Jacksonville, including the Florida Panhandle and Tallahassee.
Depending on how the storm treks eastward, it could shift further south, which would create icy and wintry conditions along the northern parts of Florida. A southern track could provide just the right conditions for a bit of snow. As of now, the storm is predicted to bring mainly rain, however.
Florida will see more subfreezing temperatures
While the first winter storm has already brought exceedingly cold temperatures to northern and central Florida, arctic air from this second storm will seep even further south.
Florida’s northern Gulf Coast areas and the northern eastern coast have a medium chance of seeing subfreezing temperatures this week while North Florida’s inland areas have a high chance. Odds lower in Central Florida near Tampa and Orlando, while South Florida isn’t expected to feel any of those impacts.
The storm brings the chance of a potential freeze to the Florida Peninsula, which could damage some of the state’s citrus crops, according to AccuWeather.
How long will the cold weather be from Winter Storm Cora?
AccuWeather originally predicted that the central and eastern U.S. would see temperatures 12-25 degrees below typical averages through Jan. 12. That has now been extended slightly through mid-January.
Pensacola 7-day weather forecast
Tuesday
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Night: Widespread frost, mainly between 4 and 5 a.m. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Wind chill values between 25 and 30. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday
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Day: Sunny, with a high near 50. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. North wind around 10 mph.
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Night: Widespread frost after midnight. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 29. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday
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Day: Widespread frost before 8 a.m. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 51. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
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Night: A 40% chance of rain after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday
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Day: Rain likely before 9 a.m, then showers, mainly after 9 a.m. High near 61. East wind 10 to 15 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
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Night: Showers likely, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 37. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday
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Day: Partly sunny, with a high near 48. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
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Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday
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Day: Sunny, with a high near 53.
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Night: A 10% chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Monday
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Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.
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Night: A 20% chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Tuesday
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Day: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Will Winter Storm Cora impact Florida? Yep, here’s how