Arctic Blast Shatters Records Across South Florida

South Florida, a region more accustomed to balmy breezes and sun-soaked beaches, found itself at the center of a rare and dramatic weather event as January 2026 drew to a close. An unyielding blast of Arctic air surged down from the Great Lakes, sweeping across the Gulf Coast and pushing deep into Florida, even threatening to set cold records as far south as Miami and the Keys. According to The Weather Channel, this frigid Arctic air mass arrived on January 27, 2026, with meteorologists warning that daily cold records could be toppled across the East and South.

For residents of South Florida, the week began with a brief respite from the chill. Thursday, January 29, saw morning lows in the low 50s across Broward and Miami-Dade counties, and slightly warmer temperatures in Monroe County. Inland spots like Kendall dipped into the upper 40s, but by midday, the sun shone and highs climbed into the low to mid 70s—almost enough to make one forget winter was lurking just offshore. CBS Miami reported, "Friday remains pleasant, with dry weather and seasonable warmth continuing."

But the tranquility was short-lived. By Saturday, January 31, a powerful cold front barreled through South Florida, ushering in showers and dropping afternoon highs into the upper 60s. The real shock, however, came overnight into Sunday, February 1, when the coldest air in years arrived. Forecasts called for lows near 32 degrees in Weston, low to mid 30s in Cooper City, Hollywood, Country Walk, and Homestead, and mostly 40s across the Florida Keys. The National Weather Service issued warnings for dangerously cold conditions, and the NEXT Weather Team cautioned that wind chills could make it feel like the 20s in some inland areas.

"South Florida residents are urged to enjoy the milder weather through Friday and prepare now for the sharp temperature drop this weekend," CBS Miami advised. The cold pattern was expected to linger into Monday, February 2, with another morning in the 30s and daytime highs struggling to reach the 50s. Some locations, meteorologists warned, could challenge record cold high temperatures.

For many, this cold snap evoked memories of historic freezes past. The Palm Beach Post reminded readers that the coldest record high for Miami is 57 degrees, set in 1979; for Fort Lauderdale, it’s 59 degrees, also from 1979; and for Key West, the record is 59 degrees, set way back in 1909. Yet the forecast for February 1, 2026, threatened to rewrite the record books, with 33 degrees expected in West Palm Beach, 32 in Jupiter, 36 in Boca Raton, and a frosty 31 in Belle Glade.

Despite the bone-chilling temperatures, snow remained unlikely for Palm Beach County. The Palm Beach Post explained, "Snow is unlikely because the cold air is not expected to be accompanied by enough moisture." Meteorologist Ryan Truchelut noted, "While parts of Florida can and do get cold enough for snow or ice with some regularity, freezes are almost always accompanied by dry air and sinking motion in the lower atmosphere, which is not conducive to any kind of precipitation."

Still, the question lingered: could Palm Beach County see snow again? The last time that happened was January 19, 1977—a day etched in local lore when a polar jet stream delivered the farthest south snow ever recorded in the contiguous U.S., reaching as far as Homestead Air Force Base. On that morning, snow fell in Palm Beach County, and even made a fleeting appearance in the Bahamas, a first in the island’s history. But this time around, the forecast called for dry, frigid air, not the moisture-laden atmosphere required for snowflakes to form.

While snow was off the table, the cold brought its own peculiar hazards. Iguanas, a common sight in South Florida, are especially vulnerable when temperatures drop below 50 degrees. As The Palm Beach Post reported, "Iguanas can become immobilized or sluggish when temperatures hit between 40 and 50 degrees. Several days of cold temps coupled with overcast skies that prevent them from basking in the sun can be deadly." Residents were warned to watch for falling, immobilized iguanas—a quirky but genuine risk during rare freezes.

Beyond the oddities, the Arctic blast posed serious threats to agriculture and infrastructure. The Weather Network highlighted that the hard freeze endangered orange groves and other crops, a critical concern for Florida’s agricultural economy. Meanwhile, the cold air mass exacerbated challenges for areas still recovering from a recent ice storm; over 300,000 people remained without power across Texas, Tennessee, and the Carolinas as the cold descended, increasing the risk of cold-related illnesses.

For context, Miami’s typical January lows hover around 16°C (61°F), making the forecasted 0°C (32°F) on Sunday morning all the more astonishing. The Weather Network noted, "The last time Miami dropped below 1.7°C (35°F) was 1989." Such temperatures are not just uncomfortable—they can be dangerous, especially for vulnerable populations, pets, and those without adequate heating.

The cold snap didn’t just affect Florida. The same Arctic air mass swept across the Gulf states, contributing to the development of a major east coast weather bomb with high-impact snowfall expected further north. The Weather Network advised, "Stay updated for further advisories," as the situation remained fluid and potentially hazardous across a broad swath of the eastern United States.

Looking back, this latest cold spell had the potential to be the coldest since 2010, which the National Weather Service declared the coldest winter for South Florida in three decades. Between January 2 and January 13 of 2010, West Palm Beach’s overnight lows dipped into the 30s nine times—a stretch not seen since at least 1940. For Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties, the coldest 12-day period since at least 1940 was recorded during that winter. Now, in 2026, residents once again found themselves bundling up and bracing for temperatures more reminiscent of a northern winter than a subtropical paradise.

As the weekend chill set in, officials urged residents to take precautions: protect sensitive plants, bring pets indoors, and check on neighbors, especially the elderly or those without reliable heating. Power companies braced for increased demand, and agricultural workers scrambled to shield crops from frost damage.

While the Arctic blast may have been fleeting, its impact was a stark reminder of nature’s unpredictability and the resilience required to weather rare extremes. For South Floridians, the cold may have been a novelty—complete with falling iguanas and record-challenging lows—but it also brought real risks and a renewed appreciation for the region’s usual warmth.