Florida Bracing for Unseasonable Cold Amid Nationwide Winter Storm

Sun Feb 01 2026 10:52:28 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As the U.S. faces severe winter conditions, Florida prepares for an unusual cold snap, prompting safety measures for residents, wildlife, and crops.

Although Florida is not expecting the harsh snowstorms affecting the Midwest and South, the state is preparing for a wave of chilly temperatures dipping into the 30s. Residents are advised to layer up and limit outdoor activities, while local farmers and zoos are taking precautions to protect crops and animals from the cold. The impact of the nationwide storm is being felt as temperatures plunge and alerts go out across the southeastern United States.

MIAMI (AP) — Florida might skip the extreme snow and ice plaguing much of the U.S., but that doesn't mean residents won't feel the chill. Frosty windshields and the prospect of flurries are enough to send a chill down the spine of those accustomed to the Sunshine State's warmth.

The Midwest and South have been grappling with significant winter storms, and a cyclone forming in the Atlantic is expected to carry severe cold weather towards the Carolinas this weekend. While Florida won't see the worst, its residents, wildlife, and agriculture are preparing for an unexpected winter chill.

Florida Could Experience Record Cold

Ana Torres-Vazquez from the National Weather Service in Miami noted that a recent cold front has already lowered temperatures, and record-breaking cold could grip the state this weekend.

“We’re anticipating temperatures in the 30s across most of South Florida, and areas close to Lake Okeechobee may see temperatures dip into the 20s,” she remarked. “Windchill may make it feel even colder.”

Notably, many South Floridians lack heavy winter apparel. Torres-Vazquez emphasized the need to layer lighter clothing and advised limiting outdoor activities.

In Tampa Bay, forecaster Tony Hurt indicated a 10 to 20 percent chance of snowfall this weekend, although any snow is likely to be negligible flurries without accumulation.

Zoo Keepers Work to Safeguard Animals

Zoo Miami spokesman Ron Magill explained that keepers have set up heaters and moved reptiles and smaller mammals into indoor enclosures, while primates, such as orangutans, are provided with blankets to stay warm. Larger animals like tigers tend to thrive even in cooler temperatures.

Florida’s native wildlife has adapted to these cold snaps, though some casualties may still occur. For instance, manatees congregate at warm-water outflows from power plants during colder spells.

Agricultural Preparations Underway

The cold spell also poses risks for Florida's agricultural sector. Farmers are arranging measures to protect crops as both winter harvest and early spring planting continue. Christina Morton from the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association stated that strategies include increasing water levels in ditches and using helicopters to shield delicate crops.

This unexpected cold follows a powerful Arctic blast affecting southern states, with residents in parts of Mississippi facing wind chills reaching negative 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Alerts have been issued across the Southeast as a storm threatens to usher in heavy snow and potentially blizzard conditions for the Eastern Seaboard.