Driftsprint

By Anna Commander

Deputy News Editor

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A portion of the Florida Panhandle, including the city of Pensacola and area west of Tallahassee, could see some snowflakes flying over the weekend as a weather system blows through.

A series of powerful Arctic cold fronts is pushing Florida into a period of record-setting low temperatures, prompting freeze watches across much of the state. Additionally, model projections have circulated on social media, suggesting a rare chance for snow in northern Florida, especially the Panhandle.

While hard freezes are uncommon in the Sunshine State, snow is even rarer, making the prospect of wintry precipitation significant for residents, agriculture and infrastructure. The anomaly potentially raises safety and economic concerns, as Floridians—typically unaccustomed to such weather—are urged to protect vulnerable populations and resources.

Jeff Berardelli, Florida media outlet WFLA-TV's chief meteorologist and climate specialist, posted about the possibility on X Wednesday, acknowledging that European and American weather models predict snow in northern portions of the state.

"Will it happen? Too early to know," Berardelli said in part. "I’d caution everyone that the models have been very inconsistent. So confidence is low. It’s definitely cold enough for flakes to fly, but ground temps should be above freezing, so very limited to no accumulation is likely in Florida. GA, AL and the Carolinas are a different story. Stay tuned!! #snow #cold"

Noah Bergen, weeknight senior meteorologist for FOX35 Orlando, also said on X Wednesday: "Massive changes today that I buy into. Euro model ensembles now show a decent chance at snow in the air in the Tallahassee, FL area Sunday. 42% of the model ensemble now show enough snow to accumulate. See if the trend holds tonight or fades away but I suspect it will get stronger in the models."

Temperatures are expected to drop into the 20s in part of the state, starting on Thursday. Nearly the entirety of Florida faces a cold weather advisory or freeze watch, the National Weather Service (NWS) says.

NWS Meteorologist Joe Wegman told Newsweek on Wednesday that "It looks like Saturday night would be the best chance for snow, and the Panhandle would see the pretty kind of snow that would fall but not stick."

"There is certainly not unanimous agreement of that happening as most of the other models show dry, plain rain, or a few flurries on Sunday morning," Wegman added.