Florida Should Brace for Cold Weather, Farmer’s Almanac Says

Fall is approaching, and there are a lot of questions about whether it will be unseasonably warm, as we've seen that trend with recent falls. So, what's the fall weather forecast for Florida from the Farmer's Almanac and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for 2024? It's quite different from some predictions of the past.

The Old Farmer's Almanac has come out with their annual predictions for fall 2024, and it's a doozy. Instead of just one trend across the U.S., the Farmer's Almanac predicts that certain areas of the country will see unseasonably warmer temperatures, while others will see colder temperatures than normal. While trends vary depending on location, the Farmer's Almanac does generally predict a warmer fall for most people living in the U.S. "Your trek to the pumpkin patch may be a bit steamy this year," they state. "It looks as if The Old Farmer’s Almanac is predicting a warmer-than-normal autumn this year." They add that it's likely to be "quite warm for the western half of the United States."

Among the regions that will be significantly warmer than usual this fall, according to the Farmer's Almanac, include the Heartland; the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain; the Texas-Oklahoma area and High Plains; the Pacific Southwest and Desert Southwest; Alaska; and Hawaii. As for areas that will be colder than normal, we're looking at the Southeast and Florida; the Lower Lakes and Ohio Valley; the Appalachians; and the Atlantic Corridor. Areas of the country that won't see a dramatic difference in the warmer or cooler areas include the Northeast; the Deep South; and the Upper Midwest.

Meanwhile, the Climate Prediction Center projects that from September through November, most of the country will have above normal temperatures. That chance of warmer weather is strongest in the Northeast, Florida (but, keep reading, because the Farmer's Almanac report contradicts this) and Plains. Precipitation is expected to be above normal in the Northeast, East and Southeast, including Florida. It's expected to be very dry in the Plains.

So, for Florida, the Farmer's Almanac predicts "colder-than-average" temperatures. The Farmer's Almanac also predicts less rain than average for Florida. How cold will it get? The Farmer's Almanac doesn't dish on specific numbers, but they're pretty solid and secure in their stance that Florida will get the chills this fall. As I mentioned earlier, though, the NOAA report says Florida will be hotter than normal, so time will tell.

Nobody likes dealing with severe weather. But, it's part of life. Depending on where you live in the United States, you might come up against hurricanes, tornados, severe thunderstorms, blizzards and more. I've certainly had my fair share of severe weather events. Probably my most vivid memory was being in an ice storm, which knocked power out for about a week where I lived, including during Christmas. It was freezing cold, so my family and I had to go to a hotel that was out of town. Needless to say, our Christmas plans were totally different that year. So, what are some severe weather safety tips that may safe your life?

Before we get to the main tips, let's get through some basics. Stay informed when a severe weather event is approaching. It's simple but important. You don't want to be caught off guard when bad weather strikes. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Weather Service both have information that they provide leading up to and during a severe weather event. So, make sure to get the latest information in the case of any weather emergency. Local meteorologists also have good information, but the main alerts come from the National Weather Service.

Another mistake some people make is not taking "watches" seriously. For example, you might see that there's a severe thunderstorm watch in your area and think, oh, it's just a watch, I can go out for a walk. Don't do it. "A watch is used when the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location or timing is still uncertain," the National Weather Service explains. We'll get more into the specifics of a watch, warning and advisory later in this story.

Let's get into some severe weather safety tips that may safe your life.

A weather advisory, watch and warning all need to be taken seriously. So, what do they mean? According to the National Weather Service, "a warning is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent or likely." A watch is where "the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location or timing is still uncertain." Finally, an advisory means, "hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent or likely."

During a severe thunderstorm, and any severe weather event, the best thing to do is stay inside and sheltered. "The best defense against thunderstorms is to stay inside a sturdy building or shelter that can protect you from deadly lightning, large hail, damaging winds, flooding rain and tornadoes," the National Weather Service says. Also, you don't want to risk getting hit by lightning, like in the image below.

During a tornado, get underground if possible. If you don't have a basement, get to the lowest floor possible. Also, during a tornado, watch for flying and falling debris. The National Weather Service advises to "use pillows, blankets, coats, helmets, etc. to cover up and protect your head and body from flying debris."

Be prepared. Have a good emergency kit, both in your house and your car. For the car, "An emergency kit should include booster cables, shovel, tow rope, sand or cat litter, and a flashlight with extra batteries," the National Weather Service says. "Do not forget a first aid kit, non-perishable food, and blankets or sleeping bags."

This one my mom and dad always tell me to do. And, they're right. "Keep your gas tank near full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel line," the National Weather Service advises.

Heat can make for a severe weather event, too. So, dress appropriately when it gets really hot. "Lightweight, light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight, and helps your body maintain normal temperatures," the National Weather Service says. They add to guzzle lots of "water or non-alcoholic fluids."

Sometimes, you just have to leave ahead of the storm to be safe. In the case of a hurricane, the National Weather Service says to "leave immediately if ordered." They also say that if you are allowed to stay, to "take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest level during the storm. Put as many walls between you and the outside as you can," and "stay away from windows, skylights and glass doors."

Weather isn't just about thunderstorms and tornados. Air quality is a big part of weather events these days, too. Be on the lookout for air quality alerts in your area. If you have respiratory issues, you should wear a mask when out and about in bad air quality. You should also say inside if the air quality is especially bad.

Even on a perfect weather day, if you're at the beach, there are risks. The NOAA states, "To stay safe, you need to stay aware of the weather, the ocean, tide, and what is going on around you." They add, "Storms, such as thunderstorms, tropical storms, and hurricanes far out at sea can create dangerous waves and currents at the beach, even on a sunny day!"