And the Winner for the Coldest Spot in Southern Florida this Weekend will be…
The Coldest Part of Southern Florida
The areas west and south of Lake Okeechobee will be the coldest spot this weekend, according to forecasters. LaBelle, which is halfway between Lake Okeechobee and Fort Myers, will drop to 33 degrees, with a wind chill of 26 degrees. Immokalee, 20 miles south, is also expected to have similar temperatures.
Temperatures Expected
Western suburbs such as Wellington are forecast to have actual temperatures fall into the upper 30s and wind-chill temperatures as low as 31. Even farther west, where Palm Beach County borders the Big Cypress Seminole Tribe Reservation, there should be wind chill temperatures of 30 degrees.
Temperature Forecast
Forecasters are saying that from Friday night into Saturday will be the nippiest part of the weekend. The National Weather Service is predicting that early Saturday morning temperatures along the coast will drop to mid-40s, with wind-chill temperatures as low as 40 near the ocean and 36 inland near Weston. Far western Broward will see wind-chill temperatures of 30.
Why Isn’t it Snowing?
Meteorologist George Rizzuto says that it would take two factors for snow to fall in southern Florida: a little bit more moisture and probably a low-pressure system that was riding far enough south to bring those cooler temperatures all the way down here. He also stated that snow can’t fall if ground temperatures are above freezing, even though it’s colder at higher altitudes.
A Look at the Past
The last time it snowed in South Florida was Jan. 19, 1977, when residents saw flurries as far south as Homestead. Prior to 1977, the farthest south snow had been observed was along a line between Fort Myers and Fort Pierce in February 1899. West Palm Beach has seen temperatures drop to 26 degrees several times since 1888, and Fort Lauderdale’s coldest day occurred in January of 1977, the same cold snap that brought snow flurries.
A Severe Cold Event
One of the most severe and long-lasting cold events of South Florida’s recorded history happened in 2010. In West Palm Beach, the temperature averaged 49.9 degrees for 12 days straight, the lowest on record for any 12-day period. And it was the longest recorded stretch of lows at or below 45 degrees — 12 days.
Cold Snap Relief
This week’s cold snap will be short-lived. Coastal lows on Sunday will be in the low 60s and interior lows in the low 50s. By Monday, the coldest temperatures should be no lower than the upper 50s inland and the mid-60s on the coast.
Conclusion
The coldest spot in southern Florida this weekend will be the areas west and south of Lake Okeechobee. While it won’t be cold enough for snow, temperatures are expected to be quite chilly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the coldest part of southern Florida this weekend?
A: The areas west and south of Lake Okeechobee.
Q: How cold will it get in these areas?
A: Temperatures will drop to 33 degrees, with a wind chill of 26 degrees.
Q: Why isn’t it snowing in southern Florida?
A: It would take two factors for snow to fall in southern Florida: a little bit more moisture and probably a low-pressure system that was riding far enough south to bring those cooler temperatures all the way down here.
Q: Has it snowed in southern Florida before?
A: Yes, it snowed on January 19, 1977, with flurries as far south as Homestead.
