Why is it SO cold in Florida right now?? 

Usually, Florida maintains a humid, subtropical climate year-round. However, with the right conditions, cold fronts that roll over the state make residents bundle up for a few days. 

A weather front represents the transition between two masses of air with different temperatures and humidity at the surface of the Earth. They bring a change in air temperature and last only a few days.  

There are four types of weather fronts: cold, warm, stationary, and occluded.  

A cold front is when a cool, dense mass of air pushes into a warm, lighter one. This phenomenon causes a dramatic decrease in temperature as the warm air is forced into the troposphere. 

 

Florida is currently experiencing a series of cold fronts back-to-back, resulting in low temperatures across the state. What can you do?

Preparations for the cold will look different depending on where you are in the state. The Florida Department of Emergency Management has outlined five points to keep in mind for bearing with the cold weather: 

• Cover cold-sensitive plants to protect them from low temperatures. 

• Bring outdoor pets inside during dangerous temperatures. 

• Practice fire safety by not using devices that rely on fuel indoors such as grills.  

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothes to protect yourself from the cold. 

• Cover pipes and drip outdoor faucets to prevent them from freezing. 

Information from University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, FSU Climate Center, and WUSF.