The Coldest Christmas Ever Recorded in Florida

Most people move to Florida for warm weather, beaches, and sunshine all year round. Even on Christmas most Floridians won’t have to bundle up to head outside. However, that isn’t always the case. One year the weather in Florida dropped down to surprisingly low temperatures. Discover the coldest Christmas ever recorded in Florida and what locals can expect from the weather this Christmas.

The Coldest Christmas in Florida Took Place in 1983

It’s hard to say exactly when the coldest Christmas in Florida took place. Florida boasts a whopping 65,758 square miles, so temperatures vary throughout the state. However, the general consensus seems to be that the coldest Christmas in Florida took place in 1983.

During that year, temperatures dropped to record-breaking lows almost everywhere in the state. For instance, Lakeland, FL, set a record-cold high of 49°F on Christmas day in 1983, according to Fox Weather.

In Orlando, temperatures only reached 36 degrees. In fact, Orlando’s morning low of 21°F tied for the coldest day on record for any date. Cold weather persisted throughout the state, reaching a high of only 38°F in Tampa and 29°F in Jacksonville. According to WFLA, 1983 marked the Christmas day record in Tampa, with temperatures dropping to 20°F.

Why Was 1983 So Cold?

So why exactly was it so cold on Christmas day in 1983? It turns out that the freezing temperatures weren’t exclusive to Florida. According to the National Weather Service, blizzard conditions spread across northeast Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania.

Vold temperatures persisted in the area from December 22nd through the 26th. The record cold wave of 1983 reached almost every area of the continental United States, excluding the southwestern deserts. Some meteorologists even called this the “Great Freeze of ’83.”

The arctic blast seemed to begin in Alaska on December 15. It spread over western Canada and the northern planes before traveling southeast to the Great Lakes region. The arctic high pressure quickly spread into the central United States in the days leading up to Christmas. Record-breaking cold temperatures reached states from Washington to Florida.

What to Expect from Christmas in Florida in 2023

Floridians don’t have to worry about this Christmas reaching record-breaking cold temperatures in 2023. While conditions won’t be perfect, the National Weather Service predicts a mild and cool week leading up to Christmas Day.

According to the Daytona Beach News-Journal, temperatures should rise back up into the 60s and 70s in South and Southwest Florida around Christmas Eve. As for Christmas Day, there is around a 60-75% chance of rain and a small chance of thunderstorms throughout the state.

As of now, meteorologists predict a high of 63°F and a low of 74°F in Tampa with a 50% chance of rain. In Tallahassee, temperatures hover between 58° and 65° with an 80% chance of rain. Finally, Orlando will feature a low of around 62°F with a high of around 72° and a 75% chance of rain.

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