MIAMI (AP) — Florida is a place to escape the winter chill, but in the coming days, much of the state will experience sub-zero nights, and even the Tampa Bay area could see snow for the first time in more than a decade.
The north-central and southern United States have been battling severe winter storms for several days, and a giant cyclone in the Atlantic Ocean is expected to pull that cold weather eastward in the form of a powerful blizzard this weekend. The worst of it appears to be heading toward the Carolinas, but the Sunshine State is preparing for winter weather nonetheless.
Ana Torres-Vazquez, of the National Weather Service in Miami, said that a cold front this week has already brought temperatures down slightly, but the region could experience record-breaking cold this weekend.
In general, South Florida residents don’t typically own heavy coats and other winter clothing, so Torres-Vázquez emphasized the importance of wearing several layers of lighter clothing and limiting time outdoors. Frostbite and hypothermia, two health hazards that aren’t always top of mind for Florida residents, are a real concern when temperatures drop this low, said Dr. David Nestler, an emergency medicine specialist at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.
Meanwhile, visitors from colder climates find it easier to acclimate to Florida’s version of the cold. Doug Brubaker said that when he left Cleveland, Ohio, on Wednesday, the temperature was -29 degrees Celsius (-20 degrees Fahrenheit) with the wind chill.
“Whatever comes this weekend isn’t cold for me, but I know it’s cold for Florida,” Brubaker said.
Farther north, Tony Hurt of the National Weather Service for the Tampa Bay area said there is a 10 to 20 percent chance of snow in that region this weekend, but no accumulation is expected.
The last two times the area received snow were brief flurries in January 2010 and December 1989. A record 2-inch (5-centimeter) of snow fell in January 1977 about 20 miles (32 kilometers) east of Tampa.
Despite that forecast, Tampa will host the annual Gasparilla Pirate Fest on Saturday. And on Sunday, the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Boston Bruins for an outdoor National Hockey League game at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ NFL stadium.
Few tourists visiting Florida will be swimming in the ocean or sunbathing on the beaches this weekend, but many attractions will remain open. Most of Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando will operate normally, although their water parks will be closed. Most of the state’s zoos and animal parks will also remain open, and animal caretakers will take precautions to protect their animals.
Crops
Farmers are working to protect their crops during the winter harvest and the start of spring planting, explained Christina Morton, a spokeswoman for the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association.
The biggest concern for Florida citrus growers is temperatures below -2.2 degrees Celsius (-28 degrees Fahrenheit) for more than four hours, as this is when damage occurs. Trevor Murphy, who has orchards in the interior of the state, said he planned to turn on his irrigation system when the temperature was just above freezing to create a protective layer of ice on the trees and also mist, which helps warm the orchards.
“We’re as prepared as we can be,” Murphy said Friday. “We’ll see what Mother Nature has in store for us on Sunday or Monday.”
Robert Moehling Jr., whose family has been growing tropical fruit for generations in southern Miami-Dade County, said that overwatering can actually damage his crops.
“In our 66+ years of experience growing avocados, mangoes, and jackfruit, if you leave the water off, you risk killing some of the plants, rather than destroying them all,” he said.
A blast of Arctic air from Canada is also moving south, leaving thousands without electricity to heat their homes. A new storm is expected to develop along the U.S. East Coast, prompting residents in the Midwestern states to prepare for blizzard conditions, while the Carolinas and surrounding states are bracing for near-blizzard conditions.
