Halloween cold weather? Oh, it’s coming, but remember, we live in Florida

C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
Updated ·4 min read

A blast of wintry air and a chance of freezing weather and even snow may arrive in time for some trick-or-treaters in the country this year, according to AccuWeather, but don't expect to see any frost on Florida's pumpkins.

Just after record-breaking heat in parts of the northeast U.S., a cold front, an Alberta Clipper and a developing storm off the Atlantic coast are expected to combine to bring "a dramatic drop in temperature" to the northeast and midwest, AccuWeather meteorologists said, with high temperatures plunging more than 30 degrees within just a few days.

How cold is it going to get in Florida this week?

Here in the Sunshine State, we will also see cooler temps, but for most of us, that means highs in the mid-60s for North Florida by Wednesday that will be back up to the 70s by Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

The Pensacola area is among Florida's cold spots for Halloween and are forecast to feel the 50s by trick-or-treat time.

Central Florida will get a dip into the high 60s just on Wednesday, and Southern Florida won't see highs below 80 in the afternoons until Thursday. On the southwest coast, temps are expected to see highs in the 80s all week.

North and Central Florida will see overnight lows in the 50s Tuesday night through Thursday night, forecasters said.

What is an 'Alberta clipper?'

That's AccuWeather's name for a winter storm that originates from or near the Canadian province of Alberta. According to AccuWeather, the term "clipper" came from clipper sailing ships because of their quick speeds.

"An Alberta Clipper, or clipper for short, is a low-pressure system that develops on the lee side of the Canadian Rockies (in Alberta)," according to the AccuWeather website, "gets caught up in the jet stream and travels southeastward into the northern Plains, on through the Great Lakes and eventually off the mid-Atlantic coast into the Atlantic Ocean."

It's similar to their term "Saskatchewan screamer," which is the same sort of storm "except that it forms in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan," explained AccuWeather Meteorologist Jessica Storm.

Will my flight get canceled?

While Florida will avoid the ice, wind and snow, be aware that the storm will bring major disruptions to travel elsewhere. As of 8:15 Monday morning, there were 8,628 delayed flights and 719 cancellations in the U.S., according to FlightAware.

How cold will it get in Florida this winter?

NOAA's seasonal temperature outlook map.
NOAA's seasonal temperature outlook map.

Florida's winter season (December to February) tends to be mild, with average lows ranging from 65 degrees in Key West to nearly 41 degrees in Tallahassee. Daytime highs range from 60 degrees in North Florida to 77 degrees toward the south.

According to National Weather Service forecaster Jon Gottschalck at NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, the country will be affected by a powerful El Niño this winter, which will bring a wetter-than-usual Florida and southeast U.S. and a mild, dry winter for the north and midwestern states. And there's always the chance for frozen iguanas.

What did the Farmers' Almanac predict for the 2023-2024 winter season?

The Farmers' Almanac 2024 forecasts a winter with traditional cool temperatures and snowy weather conditions for the United States.
The Farmers' Almanac 2024 forecasts a winter with traditional cool temperatures and snowy weather conditions for the United States.

The Farmers Almanac agreed. According to the 2023-2024 Winter forecast, "the BRRR is back!" for areas of the country that saw unusually warm winters in previous years.

"Winter weather is making a comeback ... traditional cool temperatures and snowy weather conditions will return to the contiguous United States."

That doesn't mean we'll see snow, but the Almanac called for a return to "traditional cool temperatures" and more rain.

"The Southeast and Florida will see a wetter-than-normal winter, with average winter temperatures overall, but a few frosts may send many shivers to snowbirds trying to avoid the cold and snow back home," the Farmers' Almanac predicted.

How good is the Almanac? The Farmers' Almanac predicts normal temps and a wet winter for Florida. How accurate is it?

Does it ever snow in Florida?

More than you might think. Flurries were reported in the Panhandle last January and measurable snowfall was spotted there in 2018.

In December 1984, a rare ice storm hit St. Augustine, prompting area officials to urge residents to stay home, and in 1977 a polar jet stream brought snow to Palm Beach County.

Snow in Jacksonville in December 1989:

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Wintry blast hitting U.S. for Halloween means slightly cooler Florida