For spring breakers and snowbirds looking to enjoy Florida next week, a strong cold front – possibly winter’s last sting – could bring frigid temperatures and the potential for several days of storms and scattered showers from Pensacola to the Keys.
People may see temperatures near freezing in the Panhandle and northern Florida, while cooling occurs in southern parts of the state.
It’s part of a storm moving across the plains into the Great Lakes and is expected to bring cold Canadian Arctic air down, with the worst impacts late Monday night, March 16, through St. Patrick’s Day, Tuesday, March 17, and Wednesday, March 18.
What are the expected temperatures in Palm Beach County?
March 15 (Sunday)Palm Beach County is expected to have mostly sunny skies with a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs are expected to be in the 80s. The chance of rainfall increases to 50% overnight, with lows in the low 70s.
Monday, March 16mostly sunny, with possible showers in the morning, possible showers in the afternoon, and possible thunderstorms. It is expected to peak in the mid-80s. The weather will turn cooler at night, with the possibility of thundershowers. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-50s.
Tuesday, March 17it will be much cooler. Showers and thunderstorms are possible in the morning, with highs expected to reach the upper 60s. At night, temperatures will settle into the low 60s.
Wednesday, March 18It’s expected to be cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms, with highs in the low 70s and lows in the low 60s.
The temperature returned to normal, with the highest temperature reaching over 70 degrees Thursday, March 18.
For this time of year, the normal daytime high in South Florida is about 81 degrees and the normal nighttime low is 66 degrees.
Severe Weather Forecast for Rest of Florida
The National Weather Service in Tallahassee warns that frost and ice are possible Tuesday and Wednesday morning, with temperatures as low as the 30s and wind chills dropping below freezing.
“This could be the last big cold front for Florida this year,” AccuWeather meteorologist Alex Da Silva said. “Not that there’s not going to be another front, but in terms of really significant freezing temperatures, this could be the last one.”
DaSilva recommended that Panhandle residents, especially those in the west, bring in plants they may have moved outside. While he doesn’t expect the cold weather to affect citrus or other crops, it could cause damage to cold-sensitive houseplants.
What can people going to Disney World and Tampa expect?
High temperatures during spring break at Disney World are expected to drop into the 80s on Monday, March 16, and to daytime highs near 60 on Tuesday, March 17. Orlando could dip into the 40s Wednesday morning, but skies will be mostly clear with a daytime high of 66 degrees.
Rick Davis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Tampa office, said some isolated areas around Tampa could see 4 to 6 inches of rain over seven days, with the heaviest showers expected. Meteorologists at the National Weather Service’s Melbourne office said a few gusty winds could develop on Monday if a cold front collides with the daytime heat peak.
Will this rain ease Florida’s drought?
About 73% of Florida is in extreme drought, or level three of four drought severity levels, according to a March 12 report from the U.S. Drought Monitor.
A cold front will clear the state on Tuesday and stall over Cuba, with showers possible across central and southern Florida.
Panama City Beach Bonfire Company owner Cameron Flynn said the near-freezing temperatures haven’t affected his spring break business, and many families are still booking the fiery beach experience.
“In the winter, people gather here and the weather is cold, which makes campfires more attractive,” Flynn said. “So, it’s a good thing when the weather is cooler, but we’re also doing it in July.”
Ian Rodriguez and Jada Castro cuddle up in the cold to watch the sunrise in Palm Beach, Florida, February 2026.
Kimberly Miller is a Florida reporter for the USA TODAY Network. She covers weather, environment and biology as a reporter for Embrace Florida. If you have a news tip, send it to kmiller@pbpost.com. Get all of Florida’s best content straight to your inbox every weekday by signing up for the free Florida Today newsletter at: palmbeachpost.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared in The Palm Beach Post: Florida’s ‘final’ cold front…what to expect in Palm Beach County?
