Florida residents face a new round of freeze warnings Monday night as temperatures could plunge below 32 degrees for at least a third consecutive night.
Why It Matters
The current cold blast poses risks to vulnerable populations, threatens crops and infrastructure, and previously set or challenged decades-old records across Florida, a state unaccustomed to prolonged hard freezes, according to National Weather Service (NWS) advisories.
Forecasters said arctic air engulfed the eastern U.S., the South and especially Florida following a bomb cyclone over the weekend, producing an abnormality in which Florida became colder than parts of Montana in midwinter, underscoring the episode’s severity and rarity for the Sunshine State.
What To Know
According to the NWS, portions of the state stretching from Jacksonville to western portions of Palm Beach and Broward Counties face the warning, along with central cities like Orlando, Melbourne and Vero Beach.
Portions of northeast and northern Florida could see temperatures as low as 26 degrees inland, and low 30s closer to the coast. For central Florida, temperatures as low as 29 degrees are possible. For South Florida counties, temperatures could dip to 30 degrees overnight.
The warning is active from 11 p.m. Monday to 9 a.m. Tuesday. Below is a map of the state showing the affected areas:
NWS Meteorologist Richard Bann told Newsweek via phone on Monday, “East central parts of the state set their February temperature records, the coldest temperature in the month of February. These cities include Vero Beach, Daytona Beach and Melbourne.”
“The high temperature in Key West, Florida, was 58 degrees on Sunday. It was 4 degrees warmer than that in Billings, Montana, for the afternoon high temperature,” Bann added. “Temperatures will begin to modify shortly.”
What People Are Saying
NWS Melbourne, on X Monday: “Feb 2 | Cold temperatures continue tonight. While not quite as frigid as the last couple of nights, freezing temperatures are once again forecast for most of the area. Continue to protect people, pets, plants, and pipes. Widespread frost is expected Tuesday morning.”
WFLA-TV Chief Meteorologist Jeff Berardelli, also on X Monday: “Another #freeze for inland and non urban areas here in #Florida again tonight. Then a short break. Then a less aggressive freeze *only* for North FL on Friday morning. #cold“
What Happens Next
Forecasters expect temperatures to warm up a bit by midweek.
