The upcoming weather event in Florida, set for next week, has prompted the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to prepare snowplows and cold-weather equipment, a rare move for the Sunshine State. A freeze is expected to bring icy conditions and potentially snow to areas of North and Central Florida, with the possibility of freezing rain and sleet in some regions.
Although snow is rare in Florida, there have been instances of snowfall in the northern parts of the state, with occasional flurries reaching places like Ocala and The Villages in past decades. Orlando last saw snow flurries in 2016, but these were not substantial.
The event will likely begin on Sunday, with a cold front pushing through the state, bringing rain and potentially severe storms. As Arctic air arrives from the north, temperatures will drop sharply by Monday morning, bringing the potential for frozen precipitation. The situation will be most severe in the Panhandle and North Florida, where freezing rain, sleet, and snow could occur, particularly by Tuesday night into Wednesday.
However, there’s still uncertainty in predicting the exact areas that will experience snow versus freezing rain, as different weather models offer conflicting forecasts. Meteorologist Noah Bergren suggests that the European model may be more accurate in predicting widespread ice, particularly farther south than originally anticipated.
While Orlando and central Florida may only experience cold rain, areas like Ocala and Gainesville could see significant freezing rain, creating hazardous conditions. More precise details will be available as the event develops in the coming days.
