Millions brace for cold as Florida could see record highs: forecast

Millions brace for cold as Florida could see record highs: forecast

Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida

Fri, January 23, 2026 at 6:35 PM UTC

7 min read

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There was more than a 100-degree temperature difference between cities with the highest and lowest temperatures in the United States Thursday, Jan. 22.

The highest temperature in the country was reported in Florida, and it may not be the only time a Florida city has the highest temp in the U.S. over the coming days.

As the country braces for a major winter storm, in the Sunshine State, we could see some record-high temps before the arrival of "bitterly cold" weather early next week.

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Heavy snow, sleet and dangerous ice are expected from Texas to the Northeast starting Jan. 23 and lasting into the weekend.

Airlines have been canceling flights and rebooking due to the storm The Weather Channel is referring to as Winter Storm Fern.

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Here's what we can expect in Florida.

Weather watches, warnings show dangerous conditions across US

For more coverage of the winter storm:

Weather alerts issued in Florida

Warmest city in US Jan. 22 was in Ochopee, Florida

According to preliminary data from the National Weather Service, the highest temperature in the U.S. Thursday, Jan. 22, was in Ochopee, which reported a high of 86.

In comparison, there was a three-way-tie for the lowest temperature of -34. Yes, that was minus 34.

-34 at 13 miles northeast of Poplar, Montana
-34 at 3 miles west-southwest of Inger, Minnesota
-34 at Badoura, Minnesota

Where is Ochopee, Florida?

Ochopee is located in Collier County in Southwest Florida, along U.S. 41, also known as Tamiami Trail.

It's about 30 miles southeast of Naples or 65 miles west of Miami.

Florida could see near-record-high temps before cold front arrives

Predicted high temperatures Jan. 25, 2026.

Highs temperatures could approach daily records by Sunday, Jan. 25, before they turn colder, the National Weather Service Melbourne said.

Temperatures are expected to be about 15 degrees above normal before the arrival of the cold front Sunday night into Monday morning.

➤ Florida's weather forecast swings from shorts to coats. See timing

"While a major winter storm impacts a significant portion of the eastern US, Florida will be dealing with a heat wave. Highs in the upper 70s to lower 80s today (Jan. 23) will increase each day into Sunday. By the end of the weekend, highs in the mid to upper 80s will be near-record for many locations, especially over the interior."

Southwest Florida also break a few high temperatures over the weekend, according to the National Weather Service Tampa Bay. Temperatures are expected to be "well above climatic normals, with high temperatures today Jan. 23, through Sunday in the upper 70s to the mid 80s.

Temperatures also could be above normal in South Florida.

The current forecast shows temperatures in the mid 80s inland and the lower 80s along the coast, according to the National Weather Service Miami. Seasonal norms for this time of year are high temperatures in the middle 70s.

Florida Panhandle, Pensacola, Tallahassee forecast

Arctic air is expected to hit the western Panhandle, sending temperatures into the teens to 20s between Jan. 25-27, 2026.

Strong storms are possible Sunday, Jan. 25, ahead of a strong cold front moving across the area late Sunday." After the front moves through "temperatures crash Sunday night into the upper teens to mid 20s Sunday night.

"As winds settle Monday night, even colder low temperatures in the teens over areas inland from the coast are expected Monday night," the National Weather Service Mobile said.

"We could see a round of strong to possibly severe storms Sunday afternoon capable of damaging winds and possibly a tornado or two."

"There is a low chance of damaging wind gusts and a brief tornado or two," mostly Sunday afternoon into Sunday evening, the National Weather Service Tallahassee posted on X.

"Bitterly cold temperatures and wind chills are expected from Sunday night through much of next week. Chances for a hard freeze are high (more than 70%) Monday and Tuesday nights. There is at least a medium chance of wind chills in the teens, especially Monday (Jan. 26) night," according to the National Weather Service Tallahassee.

Read more of what can be expected across North Florida:

Northeast Florida, Jacksonville forecast

Inland nightly freezes return Jan. 26, 2026, and will continue through at least Wednesda6, Jan. 28.

"Inland nightly freezes return Monday (Jan. 26) night and will continue through at least Wednesday night next week," the National Weather Service Jacksonville posted on X.

"Cold weather advisories may be necessary for northeast and north central Florida early on Tuesday morning as wind chill values potentially fall to the low and mid 20s."

"The strong cold front sweeps the area Sunday night with temperatures tumbling quite quickly. Bitterly cold temperatures are expected Monday and beyond.

"Highs through the week will be in the 40s and 50s. Chances for a hard freeze are high (70-100%) both Monday and Tuesday nights across the entire area. Lows Monday night will be in the teens and low 20s for just about everyone except the immediate beaches. However, everyone will have wind chills well down into the teens."

Read more of what can be expected across Northeast Florida:

Central Florida, east coast from Daytona Beach to Stuart forecast

Highs approaching daily records by Sunday Jan. 25, 2026, before turning much colder.

"While a major winter storm impacts a significant portion of the eastern US, Florida will be dealing with a heat wave," according to the National Weather Service Melbourne.

"Highs in the upper 70s to lower 80s today (Jan. 23) will increase each day into Sunday. By the end of the weekend, highs in the mid to upper 80s will be near-record for many locations, especially over the interior," according to the National Weather Service Melbourne.

Expect high temperatures 15 degrees above normal on Sunday, Jan. 25.

The cold front is expected to arrive Sunday night into Monday morning, ending the heat wave, and bringing widespread temperatures in the 30s, although some models are trending warmer.

"Below-normal temperatures are expected to continue into next weekend. Highs in the 50s and 60s look likely most days, with overnight lows in the 30s and lower 40s."

South Florida, West Palm Beach, Naples forecast

A period of below-normal temperatures is forecast for South Florida at the end of January into early February 2026.

Before the arrival of a cold front Monday, high temperatures are forecast to range from the low to mid 80s, with possible temps in the low 90s for some inland locations, depending on cloud cover.

"A series of cold fronts beginning on Monday are forecast to bring below-average temperatures back to the region," according to the National Weather Service Miami.

Temperatures Tuesday morning could dip into the upper 30s west of Lake Okeechobee. Elsewhere, high temperatures are currently forecast to reach the upper 60s to low 70s, which is below-average compared to seasonal norms.

Temperatures will moderate slightly on Wednesday Jan. 28, reaching the low to mid 70s across the region and just below or at seasonal norms.

"The Climate Prediction Center highlights a high chance (70-90%) chance of below-normal temperatures" by the end of January.

Read more of what can be expected across South Florida:

Southwest Florida, west coast from Fort Myers to Sarasota forecast

Record high temperatures are possible in some areas of Florida Jan. 24-25, 2026.

"Warm temperatures are expected through this weekend and even a few records are possible for interior locations," according to the National Weather Service Tampa Bay. Expect cooler air to arrive in Southwest Florida Monday, Jan. 26.

Then the cold front will hit.

Overnight lows Monday night could drop into the mid to upper 20s across the Nature Coast, with borderline hard freeze conditions.

"High temperatures will struggle to reach the mid 50s north to the mid 60s south on Tuesday Jan. 27, with freezing temperatures again possible across the Nature Coast Tuesday night/Wednesday morning.

"Temperatures are expected to recover a bit on Wednesday, but will still remain well below climatic normals with high temperatures generally in the 60s.

"A secondary cold front is expected to push across the forecast are Wednesday night and Thursday with a reinforcing shot of cold Canadian air. Sub-freezing temperatures again possible across the Nature Coast and portions of the interior Thursday night/Friday morning."

Read more of what can be expected across Southwest Florida:

Get the latest NWS forecasts on X

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Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida's service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://tallahassee.com/newsletters.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Florida heat wave could bring record high temps before cold front

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