Florida Expected to Get ‘Subfreezing Weather’ This Winter

Winter is on the way, and weather experts are coming out with their winter 2024-25 weather predictions, including a big one for Florida. Everyone from the Farmer's Almanac to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have come out with weather forecasts, and the meteorologists at AccuWeather just dropped theirs. So, what should you expect for the state this coming winter? Here's the full forecast and what they say will likely shake out.

The meteorological winter begins before the official winter starts, on Sunday, Dec. 1. According to the weather reporters at AccuWeather, we should expect some twists and turns. "As people prepare their skis and snowblowers with snow on their minds, AccuWeather forecasters predict that the season will be mild for most of the United States, similar to last winter, which was the warmest on record," they state. "However, that is only part of the story, as waves of frigid air will periodically send freezing air across the country, along with more chances for snow." In general, AccuWeather says that while it's going to be a warm winter overall, there will still be pockets of freezing weather.

Specifically, looking at Florida, AccuWeather has a pretty dramatic predication. They state, "If a significant surge of cold air delivers subfreezing weather to the Gulf Coast and parts of Florida, it is most likely to occur in February, although the month as a whole is still projected to be milder than normal." So, that's an interesting juxtaposition. February will be milder than normal for most of Florida, they believe, but they also say to expect some "subfreezing weather" in parts of the Sunshine State. Also of interest is that AccuWeather states the jet stream will dip farther south in February, which could bring more severe weather to the Gulf coast states.

While the AccuWeather experts predict that forecast for this winter, it's worth stating the Farmer’s Almanac predicts temperatures up and snowfall down for most of the country this season. So, they agree on having a warm winter, for most of the U.S. "This winter, temperatures will be up and snowfall down throughout most of the United States," Carol Connare, the Almanac’s editor-in-chief, said. "While there will still be plenty of chilly temperatures and snow for most slopes, the high heating costs associated with the season shouldn’t hit so hard." Connare also said that they're predicting “temperate, uneventful winter—potentially a welcome reprieve from the extremes of recent years."

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!"