Expand / Collapse search
☰

Florida could feel coldest temperatures in years when arctic air arrives in January

By
Published  December 31, 2024 8:30am EST
Weather
FOX 13 News

The Brief

    • Arctic air will likely head to Florida during the first full week of January.
    • Temperatures will drop well below average in the Tampa Bay area.
    • It's still several days out, so the forecast will be tweaked between now and then.

TAMPA, Fla. - A blast of arctic air is expected to make its way south, reaching Florida in January.

FOX 13 Meteorologist Valerie Mills says there will be an "extended cold stretch" across areas of the U.S. east of the Mississippi River, including well below average temperatures in the Tampa Bay area.

Arctic air will make its way south in January, eventually reaching Florida.

Arctic air will make its way south in January, eventually reaching Florida.

How cold will it get in the Tampa Bay area?

While it's tough to pinpoint specific temperatures this far out, FOX 13 meteorologists say highs could drop as low as the 50s as mid-January approaches, with the possibility of freezing temperatures for a night or two.

Arctic air is expected to drop temperatures well below average in the Tampa Bay area during the first full week of 2025.

Arctic air is expected to drop temperatures well below average in the Tampa Bay area during the first full week of 2025.

"We're still going to fine tune these as we get closer," Mills said, adding it will still be "a whole other week" before there are any potential "freeze concerns."

Models show the coldest temperatures in the Bay Area likely occurring from Jan. 10-12, though that timeline could be tweaked as we get closer.

Will it snow in Florida?

It's too soon to tell whether any part of Florida will see snow in January.

Mills says a snowstorm will likely develop north of Florida, but we "may not be talking about any snow here around the Sunshine State."

"Remember, when it gets cold around here, the atmosphere typically lacks moisture," FOX 13 Chief Meteorologist Paul Dellegatto said. "Can't get snow without something falling from the sky."

2025 will start with a cold front

Tampa weather | Tuesday forecast

FOX 13 Meteorologist Valerie Mills says temperatures will reach the upper 70s and even low 80s in some spots for New Year's Eve. Colder air is on the way, though, with 60s for highs in time for the weekend.

Before the arctic blast, a cold front will move into Florida, bringing temperatures down by Wednesday as the new year begins.

Afternoon highs will drop to the 60s by the end of the week and into the weekend.

Afternoon highs will drop to the 60s by the end of the week and into the weekend.

Afternoon highs will drop to the 60s by the end of the week and into the weekend.

STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA:

WeatherFlorida