Heavy storm can cause devastating weather condition in Florida, Tennesse Valley and South

Saturday, December 30, 2023

As 2023 draws to a close, a blast of freezing air is set to grip parts of the South, triggering frost and freeze risks, particularly in Florida, courtesy of a storm originating in the Tennessee Valley.

Following the season’s inaugural snowflakes, residents in the South will experience a significant drop in temperatures during New Year’s weekend, prompting the need for winter jackets. While not the season’s coldest air, it poses agricultural concerns, with temperatures dipping below freezing as far south as the Gulf Coast.

AccuWeather meteorologist Adam Douty notes that despite not being the coldest air anticipated for the winter, the sudden drop in temperature will be a notable contrast to the recent warmth experienced in the region. The days around Christmas saw temperatures 5-10 degrees above historical averages, accompanied by locally heavy rainfall. Fortunately, the dip in temperature over the weekend will coincide with dry conditions, providing a suitable environment for outdoor activities, including New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Exceptions to the dry forecast include portions of the Tennessee Valley and the Southern Appalachians, where some snow showers are expected on Saturday morning. However, any accumulations are likely to be light, except for the highest elevations. The same storm generating snowflakes will reinforce the chilly air over the region, persisting into the weekend.

The core of the cold spell is expected on Friday and Saturday nights, with Saturday night likely to be slightly colder in most areas. Sunday morning temperatures in places like Gainesville and Tallahassee, Florida, are projected to be near or below freezing, with the 20s expected across interior Georgia and points north and east. This will be the first time temperatures have plummeted to such lows this season in parts of Florida, posing a threat to outdoor plants and vegetation.

Northern Florida, including areas as far south as Ocala, will face a frost risk, but the citrus crop, primarily concentrated in the central part of the state, is expected to remain unaffected as temperatures should stay above freezing.

In the central and southern parts of the peninsula, low temperatures on both days of the weekend will range from the mid- to upper 40s in places like Orlando and Tampa to the lower 50s in Fort Myers and Miami. These temperatures are 5-10 degrees below the historical average to conclude the year.

While daytime highs in the 60s during the weekend will be several degrees below average, the cold snap is expected to be short-lived. Temperatures are forecast to rebound closer to historical averages and even surpass them by Sunday afternoon and through the first week of the new year. Fortunately, the cold snap is not expected to be severe enough to cause the unique Florida phenomenon of iguanas falling out of trees, which typically occurs when temperatures are in the lower 40s or below for several hours in the southern part of the peninsula. The chill, for both iguanas and residents, will be brief, offering reassurance as temperatures are set to return to more typical levels in the coming days.

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