Frigid New Year’s Eve Temperatures Descend on Florida

December and January are the coldest months in the continental United States. Across the Lower 48, the average temperature is 52.0°F over the 12 months of the year, with the mercury hitting 32.7°F in December and bottoming out at 30.1°F in January, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. But while most Americans are used to freezing winter temperatures, there are parts of the country where winters tend to be mild, or even warm – particularly in Florida.

Across Florida, the average temperature in December and January is 58.3°F, higher than in any other state in the Lower 48, and well above the comparable two-month average of 31.4°F in the continental United States. This week, however, as December turns to January and a new year begins, a cold front is sweeping across large swaths of Florida, bringing frigid temperatures to millions of Americans living in the warmest part of the country. 

Before more seasonable temperatures return by the end of the week, freeze warnings have been in effect on New Year’s Eve across multiple parts of Florida, including Alachua, Flagler, Lake, Marion, Sumter, and Volusia Counties. Even in Florida communities where freezing temperatures have not been reported or forecasted, arctic air is expected to push the mercury well below historical local norms.

Using data from the National Weather Service, Climate Crisis 247 identified the daily lows that have either been reported or forecasted for New Year’s Eve 2025 in Florida’s largest cities. Each of the 10 most populous cities in Florida are ranked by their lowest expected or reported temperature on December 31, 2025. For the purposes of this story, the cities of Miami and Hialeah were combined as a single entry, as weather data for each city is from the Miami International Airport. Population data are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey. Historic New Year’s Eve temperature norms are 30-year averages, recorded between 1991 and 2020, from NOAA’s U.S. Climate Normals program. 

The cities on this list are home to over 3.5 million people. In these same places, expected or reported lows for New Year’s Eve 2025 range from 46.9°F to 28.0°F – and are anywhere from 15.8°F to 27.5°F below the 30-year historical average for December 31. 

10. St. Petersburg, Florida – Albert Whitted Airport Weather Station

• Daily low on New Year’s Eve 2025: 46.9°F (reported in early morning hours)
• Local New Year’s Eve temperature norms: 62.7°F average; 56.1°F low
• 2025 temperature anomaly: 15.8°F colder than average; 9.2°F colder than typical low
• Local population: 260,646

9. Miami and Hialeah, Florida – Miami International Airport Weather Station

• Daily low on New Year’s Eve 2025: 46.9°F (reported in early morning hours)
• Local New Year’s Eve temperature norms: 69.3°F average; 62.0°F low
• 2025 temperature anomaly: 22.4°F colder than average; 15.1°F colder than typical low
• Local population: 668,564 (combined)

8. Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport Weather Station

• Daily low on New Year’s Eve 2025: 45.0°F (forecasted for evening hours)
• Local New Year’s Eve temperature norms: 69.1°F average; 62.2°F low
• 2025 temperature anomaly: 24.1°F colder than average; 17.2°F colder than typical low
• Local population: 183,032

7. Pembroke Pines, Florida – Hollywood, North Perry Airport Weather Station

• Daily low on New Year’s Eve 2025: 44.1°F (reported in early morning hours)
• Local New Year’s Eve temperature norms: 68.9°F average; 60.7°F low
• 2025 temperature anomaly: 24.8°F colder than average; 16.6°F colder than typical low
• Local population: 170,557

6. Cape Coral, Florida – Southwest Florida International Airport Weather Station

• Daily low on New Year’s Eve 2025: 41.0°F (reported in early morning hours)
• Local New Year’s Eve temperature norms: 65.0°F average; 55.1°F low
• 2025 temperature anomaly: 24.0°F colder than average; 14.1°F colder than typical low
• Local population: 206,387

5. Tampa, Florida – Tampa International Airport Weather Station

• Daily low on New Year’s Eve 2025: 41.0°F (reported in early morning hours)
• Local New Year’s Eve temperature norms: 62.7°F average; 53.6°F low
• 2025 temperature anomaly: 21.7°F colder than average; 12.6°F colder than typical low
• Local population: 393,389

4. Orlando, Florida – Orlando Executive Airport Weather Station

• Daily low on New Year’s Eve 2025: 37.9°F (reported in early morning hours)
• Local New Year’s Eve temperature norms: 61.8°F average; 52.3°F low
• 2025 temperature anomaly: 23.9°F colder than average; 14.4°F colder than typical low
• Local population: 311,732

3. Port St. Lucie, Florida – Witham Field Airport Weather Station

• Daily low on New Year’s Eve 2025: 37.0°F (forecasted for evening hours)
• Local New Year’s Eve temperature norms: 64.5°F average; 54.8°F low
• 2025 temperature anomaly: 27.5°F colder than average; 17.8°F colder than typical low
• Local population: 220,453

2. Jacksonville, Florida – Jacksonville International Airport Weather Station

• Daily low on New Year’s Eve 2025: 30.0°F (reported in early morning hours)
• Local New Year’s Eve temperature norms: 54.6°F average; 43.4°F low
• 2025 temperature anomaly: 24.6°F colder than average; 13.4°F colder than typical low
• Local population: 961,739

1. Tallahassee, Florida – Tallahassee International Airport Weather Station

• Daily low on New Year’s Eve 2025: 28.0°F (reported in early morning hours)
• Local New Year’s Eve temperature norms: 51.4°F average; 38.9°F low
• 2025 temperature anomaly: 23.4°F colder than average; 10.9°F colder than typical low
• Local population: 199,696