Unprecedented cold wave hits Florida: extreme temperatures and snowfall in the subtropical region

Florida is facing an extraordinary cold wave in early February that has transformed the state’s climate landscape, bringing historic snowfalls to cities that rarely experience them. This unprecedented weather event has disrupted the traditional climate pattern, placing several Florida locations with temperatures lower than those recorded simultaneously in Alaska, a phenomenon that confuses meteorologists and residents alike.

From Tampa to Miami: historic records defying the subtropical climate

The intensity of the cold wave has impacted different parts of the state unevenly. While Orlando woke up with thermometers at -4°C, coastal cities like Tampa experienced snowfalls captured by National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists around 4:45 a.m., an event that experts confirmed observing from their offices.

Miami, considered one of the most tropical areas of the state, recorded 0°C during its coldest dawn since 2010, setting a new daily record for February. The situation extended to central and northern parts of the territory: Daytona Beach dropped to -5°C, Melbourne reached -3.8°C, and Vero Beach hit -3.3°C. These drops broke multiple historical minimum temperature records for the month.

The most surprising comparison comes from Juneau, Alaska, which simultaneously registered 0°C, turning this thermal inversion into a visual symbol of the developing global phenomenon.

The polar vortex triggers the cyclonic bomb that freezes the southeastern US

Behind these extreme conditions lies a complex atmospheric mechanism. A massive disturbance of the polar vortex has deformed the jet stream, creating a deep trough that acts as a conduit for Arctic air. This “invisible tube” transports air masses from Hudson Bay directly toward the Gulf Coast, channeling extreme cold all the way to Florida’s borders.

At the same time, a powerful high-pressure Omega block maintains the US West Coast and southeastern Alaska with unusually mild temperatures, accentuating the contrast and reinforcing the persistence of the cold wave over the southeast.

Snowfalls in Tampa are due to a specific mechanism known as “Gulf-effect snow.” When Arctic winds pick up moisture from relatively warm waters (around 10°C), thermal instability occurs between the warm waters and the colder air at higher altitudes (between 6°C and 10°C), creating the conditions necessary for snowflake formation. Although documented, this phenomenon is extraordinary in frequency and intensity for the region.

Power outages and emergency alerts due to extreme cold

The consequences extend beyond thermometers. According to poweroutage.us, approximately 20,000 homes and businesses in Florida remain without power, leaving many residents without heating as temperatures fluctuate between -6°C in the north and 1°C in the south.

The National Weather Service has issued multiple warnings describing conditions as “dangerously cold,” accompanied by strong winds and rough seas that further complicate the emergency situation.

Recovery forecasts: when will Florida warm up again?

Projections for the coming days indicate persistent cold, but with some signs of relief. Forecasts show highs of only 7°C for the early days, with wind chills dropping as low as -6°C during early mornings. Nights will remain extremely cold, with lows near -3°C and widespread frosts expected until Monday night.

Although some additional snowflakes are expected, meteorologists do not anticipate significant accumulations on the ground. The cold wave is gradually beginning to weaken from Tuesday, when a slight recovery is projected with highs around 18°C, marking the start of a return to more typical subtropical Florida weather.

This extreme event reaffirms how disturbances in the polar vortex can trigger dramatic climate changes even in the warmest regions of the United States.