Rare Chance of Snow Flurries in Central Florida

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Central Florida is bracing for a rare blast of cold air this weekend, with the possibility of a few snow flurries or a wintry mix along the Gulf Coast and northeast of Jacksonville on the Atlantic coast. The National Weather Service has highlighted these areas as having a small probability of seeing some wintry precipitation on Sunday morning, though any flakes that do fly will not accumulate.

Why it matters

Snow in Central Florida is an extremely rare occurrence, with the last measurable snowfall in the region dating back to 2010. This weekend's cold front could bring the coldest temperatures the area has felt in over a decade, potentially leading to the development of some Gulf effect moisture and an offshore low pressure system that could push wintry precipitation back into parts of the Sunshine State.

The details

The mechanism for possibly getting a few flakes will be different along each coast. Along the Gulf Coast, the 'highest' chance for messy flakes or a wintry mix will be right along the coastline, as Gulf effect moisture could develop if the wind direction is just right. On the east coast of Central Florida, a developing low pressure system off the Northeast Coast of Florida is expected to send some moisture back into the region, with the 'highest' chance for wintry precipitation northeast of Jacksonville.

• The cold front is expected to move through Central Florida on Saturday evening.
• The potential for wintry precipitation is forecast for Sunday morning.

What’s next

Residents and visitors in the affected areas should monitor the latest weather forecasts and be prepared for the possibility of wintry weather on Sunday morning.