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Miami is many things, but “colder than Alaska” is not supposed to be one of them. And yet, early Sunday morning, that’s exactly what happened. Just before 7am, Miami International Airport dipped to 35 degrees, breaking a record that had stood since 1909. At the same time, Kodiak, Alaska clocked in at a balmy 39.
But Sunday’s chill was not a one-and-done. On Monday, Miami International Airport was down to 38 degrees. Broward County broke a record at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport with 36 degrees, beating marks set in 1942 and 1979. Palm Beach International Airport went even further, “shattering” its previous record with a low of 30 degrees, a record dating back to 1912.
South Florida woke up to biting wind chills, and snow flurries were even spotted near Naples. And obviously it was cold enough for the state’s most infamous invasive species to start falling out of trees.
According to the National Weather Service in Miami, a strong Arctic high-pressure system pushed frigid air deep into the peninsula, overwhelming the usual coastal warmth. At 11am Monday, cold-related alerts covered much of the state: freeze warnings in 30 counties, cold weather advisories in seven and a frost advisory tossed in for good measure.
So, when will the cold snap end? Not yet. Temperatures will be closer to normal today, but another cold front is expected to move through tonight into Thursday, bringing rain and another drop in temperatures. Forecasters say it likely won’t hit the extreme lows of the weekend, but colder-than-normal nights are still on the table, especially across central Florida and the Nature Coast. Yet another front could arrive Saturday, though again, not as intense.
The good news, if you can call it that, is that this level of cold is unlikely to repeat. AccuWeather says February and even March can still bring cold spells, but nothing with the reach or force of this Arctic blast. Until then, keep the sweaters out, protect the plants and watch out for falling iguanas.