Potential for Snow in Florida This Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend, But Don’t Expect a Repeat of Last Year
A rare cold snap has raised the possibility of snow flurries across parts of Florida over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, though forecasters emphasize any accumulation will likely be minimal and localized. While temperatures are forecast to plummet, residents shouldn’t anticipate a repeat of the historic snowfall that blanketed the state in January 2025.
The Sunshine State is bracing for a significant cooldown, with temperatures expected to dip below freezing in many areas. This has sparked the question on everyone’s mind: will it snow in Florida? The answer, according to meteorologists, is a cautious “maybe.”
Another cold front is expected to sweep across the Florida peninsula on Sunday, Jan. 18, potentially bringing with it a few showers. Some weather models indicate a low probability of snow in the northern portions of the state and the Panhandle. However, officials are quick to point out that conditions will be vastly different from last year’s record-breaking event.
“There is a chance for snow in far northern Florida, generally north of Interstate 10 Saturday night into early Saturday morning,” stated a meteorologist with AccuWeather via email on Jan. 16. “Little to no accumulation is expected from this event, but if there are any thin coatings, they would likely occur on grassy and non-paved surfaces, then quickly melt Sunday morning.”
The National Weather Service in Mobile, Alabama, which monitors western Florida, echoed this sentiment, noting a 10-20% chance of an inch or more of snow, with even lower probabilities closer to the coast. However, they also indicated a 20-45% chance of at least a tenth of an inch of snowfall.
Further east, the National Weather Service in Tallahassee reported a 10-30% chance of a rain/snow mix over southeastern Alabama, portions of southwestern Georgia, and the inland Florida Panhandle on Sunday morning.
Why the Cold?
The current frigid temperatures are attributed to a stretching of the polar vortex, pushing cold air unusually far south. “A highly amplified weather pattern featuring very warm conditions in the West and cold conditions in the East is aiding in driving the cold well into the lower latitudes this weekend,” explained Brandon Buckingham, a meteorologist. While the current cold front is significant, forecasters do not anticipate a series of similar intrusions next week. Temperatures are expected to begin a gradual rebound, particularly in South Florida, as winds shift and draw in warmer air from the Atlantic Ocean.
A Look Back at the 2025 Snowstorm
The last time Florida experienced widespread snowfall was in January 2025, when a freak winter storm brought more than 7 inches of snow to Pensacola, shattering the previous record of 3 inches set in 1895. Cities in the western Panhandle received between 5 and 10 inches, while northeastern Florida saw freezing rain and ice. The National Weather Service officially recorded 7.6 inches of snow in Pensacola, with some areas in Santa Rosa County receiving even more. Tallahassee experienced a mix of sleet and slushy snow.
Regional Forecasts & Weather Alerts
Here’s a breakdown of the forecast for key regions across Florida:
- Northeast Florida (Jacksonville): Wind chill values near or below 25 degrees are expected early Monday morning. Widespread frost is anticipated Sunday night, with patchy frost possible Monday night.
- Saturday, Jan. 17: High 69; low 44
- Sunday, Jan. 18: High 52; low 31
- Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day: High 55; low 34
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- East Central Florida (Melbourne): Below-normal temperatures are expected through Tuesday morning, with wind chills potentially dropping below 35 degrees. Patchy frost is possible Monday and Tuesday mornings.
- Saturday, Jan. 17: High 69; low 51
- Sunday, Jan. 18: High 60; low 36
- Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day: High 56; low 41
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- South Florida (Miami): While cooler than usual, South Florida will experience a less dramatic temperature drop.
- Saturday, Jan. 17: High 74; low 67
- Sunday, Jan. 18: High 78; low 54
- Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day: High 70; low 60
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- Tampa Bay: A prolonged cooldown is expected through early next week, with temperatures 10-20 degrees below normal. A cold front on Sunday will bring breezy winds and hazardous marine conditions.
- Saturday, Jan. 17: High 74; low 56
- Sunday, Jan. 18: High 71; low 40
- Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day: High 64; low 43
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Residents are encouraged to stay informed and prepared for potentially hazardous conditions. You can sign up for weather alerts via text to receive updates about current storms and weather events in your location. .
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