Floridians look as though they will be facing a cold start to the new year, with forecasts suggesting a high likelihood of frigid temperatures early in 2025.
Why It Matters
With the Sunshine State being one of the most populated places in the U.S. and a popular winter destination for those seeking to escape the northern cold, this news is likely to be unwelcome.
What to Know
According to a forecast from the National Weather Service (NWS) Climate Prediction Center issued on Friday, there is a 70-80 percent chance the state will see below normal temperatures between January 4 and January 10.
Furthermore, between January 11 and January 24, there is a 60-70 percent chance of below normal temperatures.
Below normal temperatures are favored across the central and eastern U.S. during much of January. pic.twitter.com/A2fyjTH3nj
— NWS Climate Prediction Center (@NWSCPC) December 27, 2024
“Below normal temperatures are favored across the central and eastern U.S. during much of January,” the NWS’ post read.
States the NWS said were facing the highest probability of lower than average temperatures also included Georgia, North and South Carolina, parts of Tennessee and Kentucky, as well as Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey.
Parts of Pennsylvania and Ohio also had high chances of colder temperatures.
A report by local outlet WKMG News 6 said that forecast models suggested Central Florida could see some of the coldest air in years by the second week of January.
The report said temperatures could plunge to 20-25 degrees Fahrenheit colder than average.
Florida’s cold snap could hit as the polar vortex was forecast to bring cold air to much of the U.S. early in 2025.
What People Are Saying
Meteorologist Jesse Walker wrote on X on December 27: “Buckle up, things could get pretty interesting next month!
“NOAA has all of our area under a risk of cold temps between January 5-10 and snow between January 4th-7th.
“NOAA also has us at a risk of colder than normal temps between Jan 11th-24th, basically the second half of Jan.”
Meteorologist Ben Noll wrote on X on December 29: “A lobe of the polar vortex threatens to bring some seriously cold and possibly snowy weather to the United States during the week of January 6th.
“Frigid air will overtake just about the entire country.”
What Happens Next
Severe Weather Europe, an online resource for global weather forecasts, reported that pressure changes over North America, combined with shifts in the polar vortex, are expected to create a weather pattern that will bring cold air and snowfall to the United States in early January, potentially lasting through the month.
The forecast indicates that cold air is likely to spread from western Canada into the northern, central and eastern parts of the U.S. during the first week of January.
Do you have a story we should be covering? Do you have any questions about this article? Contact [email protected]
The post Florida Faces Brutal Cold as Temperatures Set to Plunge in January appeared first on Newsweek.
