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    • When does winter start and how cold does it get?
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    When does winter start and how cold does it get?

    Caradoc Wyn Posted on

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    • Florida’s winter will start out warm, with temperatures 3 degrees above average in many areas.
    • The Gulf Coast states will experience drier conditions this winter and the risk of severe storms increases.
    • The good news? Lower heating requirements mean lower heating costs.

    Tuesday’s brisk morning temperatures are just a taste of what’s in store for Floridians over the next few days as a cold front moves across the state, sending temperatures into the 40s in many areas.

    Coincidentally, to coincide with the cold front, AccuWeather released its winter forecast for the year and Florida and the rest of the southern and central United States are expected to be warmer, due in part to warmer water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico, which are expected to be higher than that historical average.

    Winter in Florida will feel more like an extended fall, according to AccuWeather. Temperatures could be up to 3 degrees above historical average in this part of the US. This is good news if you’re not a fan of the cold or want to save a bit on your heating bills this winter.

    The bad news? According to AccuWeather, Gulf Coast residents should be prepared for an increased risk of severe weather.

    Here’s a breakdown of what Florida can expect this winter.

    Is Florida expected to have a cold winter?

    According to AccuWeather’s forecast, Florida’s winter will be relatively warm. Temperatures in North Florida are expected to be at least three degrees above historical average. The temperature will drop to 2 to 3 degrees in Central Florida and 1 to 2 degrees in South Florida.

    What does La Niña mean for winter in Florida?

    La Niña is expected to be weak for most of the winter, according to Paul Pastelok, AccuWeather’s senior meteorologist and long-range expert. A weaker La Niña means that other signals can control weather patterns, which also means there will be greater variability in the winter.

    According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, El Niño and its counterpart La Niña are like a seesaw between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

    On the Gulf Coast, La Niña typically results in warmer than normal temperatures and drier conditions.

    What will be the coldest month in Florida this winter?

    If Florida experiences freezing temperatures at all, it’s most likely in February, according to AccuWeather. However, these temperatures will be milder than normal.

    AccuWeather warns of an increased risk of severe weather this winter

    The Gulf Coast will experience a relatively dry winter, but AccuWeather is warning residents to prepare for severe weather due to overall mild conditions and warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico.

    “In winter you have to watch out for storms. “We have seen devastating thunderstorms in December, January and February in the past,” Pastelok said.

    “With mild air masses coming from the west in January, we could see the potential for severe weather further north in places like Missouri, Arkansas and Tennessee. As the jet stream descends further south in February, the Gulf Coast states could experience more severe weather with warmer air and water from the Gulf of Mexico.”

    Farmer’s Almanac 2024-2025 Winter Forecast

    If you like to indulge in the Farmer’s Almanac, the 2024-2025 winter forecast was also published there. The almanac confirms AccuWeather’s forecasts.

    “This winter, temperatures will rise and snowfall will fall across most of the United States,” reports Carol Connare, editor-in-chief of the Almanac. “While there will continue to be cool temperatures and snow on most slopes, the high heating costs associated with the season are unlikely to be as significant. We predict a moderate, uneventful winter – perhaps a welcome change from the extremes of recent years.”

    However, the almanac differs from the precipitation forecasts. Instead, “winter rainstorms” are predicted to “soak” Florida, the Deep South and Southern California.

    Does it snow in Florida?

    No, but sometimes yes.

    Snow doesn’t typically fall in Florida, but FSU’s Climate Center has tracked more than 80 months since 1886 in which at least trace amounts of snow were reported anywhere in the state.

    Perhaps the most notable snowfall in Florida was the result of the 1993 “superstorm,” which produced up to four inches of snow along the Florida Panhandle.

    The last time it snowed in Florida was in January 2022 in the early morning hours throughout Walton County in the Florida Panhandle. Snow flurries and snow masses were also reported recently.

    When does summer time end?

    Daylight saving time officially ends on Sunday, November 3rd. In most, but not all, American territories and states, clocks are set back one hour.

    When does winter officially begin?

    “Official” depends on who you ask. The winter solstice is observed on December 21st at 3:19 am. Meteorological winter begins on December 1st.

    What is the darkest day of the year?

    The darkest day of the year coincides with the winter solstice, which occurs on December 21st.

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    Caradoc Wyn
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