South Florida Braces for Rare Polar Blast This Weekend

Forecasts call for the coldest temperatures in 16 years, with potential record lows and dangerous wind chills.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 2:31pm

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A powerful polar air blast is set to hit South Florida this weekend, potentially bringing the coldest temperatures the region has seen in 16 years. Overnight lows on Sunday morning could drop into the mid-30s in Miami and the low 30s in the western suburbs, with wind chills as low as the upper 20s. Daytime highs will only reach the mid-50s, and the cold conditions are expected to persist through Tuesday.

Why it matters

This rare cold snap could have significant impacts on the region, including increased energy demand, potential damage to crops and vegetation, and risks to vulnerable populations. The last time South Florida experienced temperatures this low was during a record-breaking cold spell in 2010, which caused widespread damage.

The details

The cold front is being driven by a strong and rapidly developing storm system moving off the Carolina coastline. The counterclockwise spin of this storm will pull in unusually cold air from northern Canada, resulting in temperatures well below average for this time of year. Winds will also be gusty, with speeds of 14-18 mph and gusts up to 34 mph, leading to dangerously low wind chills.

  • The cold front is expected to move through the region overnight Saturday into Sunday morning.
  • Overnight lows on Sunday morning could drop to the mid-30s in Miami and the low 30s in the western suburbs.
  • Daytime highs on Sunday and Monday will only reach the mid-50s.
  • The cold conditions are expected to persist through Tuesday, with overnight lows in the mid-40s.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing warnings in the United States.

Chuck Caracozza

A meteorologist with the National Weather Service who provided insights on the upcoming cold blast.

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What they’re saying

“The cold front associated with that system is going to move through the region and is going to drag unusually cold air down pretty far south.”

— Chuck Caracozza, Meteorologist, National Weather Service (sun-sentinel.com)

“Everything is setting up in just the right place to create this kind of outbreak. It's rare. The last time we had temperatures this cold was 16 years ago.”

— Chuck Caracozza, Meteorologist, National Weather Service (sun-sentinel.com)

What’s next

The National Weather Service will continue to monitor the situation and issue updates on the potential for record-breaking cold temperatures and any associated weather warnings or advisories.

The takeaway

This rare and potentially dangerous cold snap serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of weather patterns and the importance of being prepared for extreme conditions, even in traditionally warm-weather regions like South Florida.