Cold Snap Headed to South Florida, Iguanas at Risk

Chilly temperatures could stun and cause iguanas to fall from trees in Palm Beach County.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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A cold front is expected to bring temperatures in the mid-40s to Palm Beach County, Florida, late this weekend and into next week. The cold weather could be cold enough to stun iguanas and cause them to fall from trees, raising concerns about the impact on the local iguana population.

Why it matters

Iguanas are an invasive species in Florida that have become a common sight, but cold weather can be dangerous for them. Stunned iguanas falling from trees can pose a risk to public safety, and a prolonged cold snap could lead to significant population declines.

The details

The cold front is expected to arrive on Sunday, February 22, with the coldest temperatures forecast for Monday and Tuesday. Lows could reach the upper 30s in some areas, which is cold enough to cause iguanas to become cold-stunned and fall from trees. This follows a record-breaking cold front in late January that led to thousands of iguanas being turned in to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

  • The cold front is expected to arrive on Sunday, February 22.
  • The coldest temperatures are forecast for Monday, February 23, and Tuesday, February 24.
  • Lows could reach the upper 30s in some areas.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency that provides weather forecasts and warnings for the United States.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

The state agency responsible for managing Florida's wildlife and natural resources.

Ron DeSantis

The Governor of Florida.

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What they’re saying

“We think there were tens of thousands of iguanas who didn't make it through to the other side of that storm.”

— Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida (The Palm Beach Post)

“It's very common this time of year. In a typical winter, we'll get a strong cold front like this one every two to three weeks, from like December through early March.”

— Chris Fisher, Meteorologist, National Weather Service (The Palm Beach Post)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This cold snap highlights the vulnerability of Florida's iguana population to sudden temperature drops, which can have a significant impact on their numbers. Residents and officials will need to be vigilant in monitoring and responding to any stunned iguanas that may fall from trees during the cold weather.