ORLANDO, Fla. – Every time temperatures plunge into the 30s — or colder — the question pops up: Is Florida getting colder? It may feel that way during a sharp cold snap, but the bigger picture tells a more interesting story.
The short answer is no but it’s complicated
Overall, Florida’s winters are warming, not cooling. Average temperatures have slowly trended upward over the decades, especially overnight lows. That means fewer long-lasting freezes and shorter cold spells compared to the past.
But here’s the twist: warming doesn’t eliminate cold weather entirely.
Why extreme cold still happens?
Even in a warming climate, the atmosphere can still deliver Arctic air to Florida. The key player is the jet stream — a fast-moving river of air high above the ground. Most winters, it stays far enough north to keep Florida mild. Occasionally, it dips south, opening the door for cold air to surge deep into the state.
When that happens, the contrast feels dramatic — especially after weeks of warm weather.
[WATCH BELOW: Hundreds of manatees flock to Blue Spring State Park to stay warm during cold weather]
Why cold snaps feel more noticeable now
Cold events may not be more frequent, but they often feel more intense for a few reasons:
- Floridians experience fewer cold days overall, so each one stands out
- Warmer baseline temperatures make sharp drops feel more extreme
- Plants, pets and people aren’t acclimated to sudden cold
In other words, it’s not just the temperature — it’s the surprise factor.
The role of climate change without the hype
Climate change doesn’t mean the end of winter or cold air outbreaks. It means more variability. Florida can still see freezing temperatures, frost and even rare snow — just not as often or for as long as in the past.
Think of it this way: the average is warmer, but the extremes still exist.
What this means for Florida
Cold snaps are still possible — especially in January and February:
- Freezing temperatures tend to be shorter-lived
- Inland areas remain more vulnerable than the coast
- Sudden drops can still impact plants, pipes, and agriculture
The bottom line
Cold in Florida isn’t becoming more common — but when it does happen, it grabs attention. In a generally warmer winter climate, extreme cold stands out more, feels sharper and often has a bigger impact.
Florida may be the Sunshine State, but winter still gets a few surprise appearances.