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Orlando Airport Grounds All Flights Amid Record Cold
Extreme temperatures force shutdown at major Florida travel hub
Published on Feb. 1, 2026
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Orlando International Airport was forced to ground all flights on Sunday due to extreme cold weather conditions that broke records across Florida. Temperatures in the region plummeted to historic lows, with several cities recording their coldest February temperatures on record.
Why it matters
The shutdown of Orlando's major airport caused major travel disruptions, impacting thousands of passengers and flights across the state and country. The extreme cold event highlights the growing challenges airports and transportation hubs face in adapting to more frequent and severe weather events driven by climate change.
The details
Temperatures in the Orlando area dropped well below freezing on Sunday, with the airport recording its coldest February temperature ever. The extreme cold forced the airport to halt all flight operations for safety reasons, stranding thousands of travelers. Several other cities across Florida, including Daytona Beach, Leesburg, Sanford, Melbourne, Vero Beach and Fort Pierce, also set new record lows for the month of February.
- On Sunday, February 2, 2026, Orlando International Airport was forced to ground all flights due to extreme cold.
- Several Florida cities set new record low temperatures for the month of February on the same day.
The players
Orlando International Airport
A major international airport serving the Orlando metropolitan area and central Florida.
What’s next
Airport officials say they are monitoring the weather conditions closely and will resume flights as soon as it is safe to do so. Travelers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest flight status updates.
The takeaway
The shutdown of Orlando's airport due to record-breaking cold temperatures underscores the growing vulnerability of critical transportation infrastructure to the impacts of climate change. As extreme weather events become more frequent, airports and other hubs will need to invest in upgrades and contingency planning to ensure reliable service and passenger safety.
