Florida is likely to experience an increase in both the frequency and severity of cold weather events, with occurrences rising by 10 to 20 percent and temperatures expected to fall an additional 1 to 2 degrees. Northern cities such as Gainesville typically witness freezes annually, while central cities like Orlando encounter them more sporadically.
During the 2023-2024 winter season, the count of days with temperatures above 80 degrees—considered warm—varied from 22 days in Naples to 27 days in Miami, both figures being below the long-term 30-year average. Central Florida is forecast to face unusually cold conditions, with temperatures potentially dropping below freezing or near 10 degrees below freezing.
Historically, Florida has been affected by several significant cold outbreaks, including the major cold event in February 1899 known as the Great Arctic Outbreak. This pattern of increasing cold extremes adds to ongoing concerns about the physical and economic effects of climate change in the state. More information about regional weather variations can be found in the Florida category.
