In Florida, Freezing Temperatures Approach Record Lows

Freezing temperatures are not a common occurrence in Florida, even in the winter months. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the average temperature in the state throughout the month of January is 57.8°F – higher than in any of the other states in the Continental U.S. by at least 8.5°F. But across northern and central Florida, the mercury plunged well below seasonal norms in recent days, exposing millions of Floridians to freezing, or near-freezing, temperatures. 

On Sunday, January 18, a cold front began pushing through Florida, bringing high winds, scattered showers, and temperatures in the 20s and 30s. Weather stations across large swaths of the state – from the western Panhandle to Jacksonville, and as far south as Orlando – are reporting or forecasting freezing temperatures that are at least 20°F below 30-year daily averages. 

Plummeting temperatures across the northern half of the state prompted the National Weather Service to issue freeze warnings in multiple counties. Temperatures are expected to return to normal by the end of the week, but freeze warnings are expected to remain in effect in parts of the state until Tuesday, January 20.

Using data compiled by the Southeast Regional Climate Center, Climate Crisis 247 identified the cities and towns in Florida where this week’s cold front brought freezing temperatures. We reviewed forecasted and recorded temperatures between Sunday, Jan. 18 and Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, and identified the places where daily lows will be less than 32°F. If a single city has more than one reporting weather station, we selected the station with the lowest expected daily temperature this week. 

Of the 48 weather Florida weather stations with available SERCC data, nine that are located in incorporated communities either had, or will have, freezing temperatures this week. Among these places, the coldest freezing temperatures in the ongoing Arctic blast range from 31°F to less than 23°F. In some cases, these temperatures are within 10°F of the coldest daily low in the local weather station’s history. 

8. Leesburg, Florida (near The Villages)

• Lowest recorded or forecasted temperature in current cold front: 31.0°F on Jan. 19, 2026 (17th coldest daily low on Jan. 19 in local history)
• Local record-low for Jan. 19: 29°F in 1997
• Local temperature norms for Jan. 19: 56.2°F average; 45.6°F low
• Local population: 28,461

7. Jacksonville, Florida

• Lowest recorded or forecasted temperature in current cold front: 29.0°F on Jan. 19, 2026 (5th coldest daily low on Jan. 19 in local history)
• Local record-low for Jan. 19: 27°F in 2018
• Local temperature norms for Jan. 19: 54.6°F average; 44.5°F low
• Local population: 961,739

6. Gainesville, Florida

• Lowest recorded or forecasted temperature in current cold front: 27.1°F on Jan. 19, 2026 (7th coldest daily low on Jan. 19 in local history)
• Local record-low for Jan. 19: 20°F in 1977
• Local temperature norms for Jan. 19: 54.6°F average; 42.4°F low
• Local population: 143,611

5. Pensacola, Florida

• Lowest recorded or forecasted temperature in current cold front: 29.9°F on Jan. 19, 2026 (14th coldest daily low on Jan. 19 in local history)
• Local record-low for Jan. 19: 10°F in 1977
• Local temperature norms for Jan. 19: 53.0°F average; 43.4°F low
• Local population: 54,011

4. Crestview, Florida (near Destin)

• Lowest recorded or forecasted temperature in current cold front: 22.9°F on Jan. 19, 2026 (11th coldest daily low on Jan. 19 in local history)
• Local record-low for Jan. 19: 10°F in 1977
• Local temperature norms for Jan. 19: 50.4°F average; 38.2°F low
• Local population: 28,046

3. Tallahassee, Florida

• Lowest recorded or forecasted temperature in current cold front: 25.1°F on Jan. 19, 2026 (14th coldest daily low on Jan. 19 in local history)
• Local record-low for Jan. 19: 15°F in 1976
• Local temperature norms for Jan. 19: 52.0°F average; 40.3°F low
• Local population: 199,696

2. Marianna, Florida (near Tallahassee)

• Lowest recorded or forecasted temperature in current cold front: 25.1°F on Jan. 19, 2026 (7th coldest daily low on Jan. 19 in local history)
• Local record-low for Jan. 19: 17°F in 1940
• Local temperature norms for Jan. 19: 51.6°F average; 40.4°F low
• Local population: 6,815

1. Apalachicola, Florida (near Panama City)

• Lowest recorded or forecasted temperature in current cold front: 28.0°F on Jan. 18, 2026 (6th coldest daily low on Jan. 18 in local history)
• Local record-low for Jan. 18: 21°F in 1977
• Local temperature norms for Jan. 18: 53.6°F average; 43.5°F low
• Local population: 2,304