FLORIDA — Unseasonably cold air has moved into Florida this week, raising the possibility of rare flurries in parts of the state this weekend.
Forecasters say the cold snap could set the stage for a phenomenon known as “Gulf-effect snow.” Areas along the Gulf Coast, including Tampa, have a better chance of seeing flurries late Saturday night into Sunday if conditions align.
Central Florida is also expected to see unusually low temperatures. In Orlando, lows Sunday morning are forecast to fall between 26 and 29 degrees. Meteorologists say that would mark the coldest temperatures the city has experienced in about 16 years.
Gulf-effect snow occurs when very cold air moves across the relatively warmer waters of the Gulf of Mexico, a process similar to lake-effect snow in the Great Lakes region. As the cold air passes over open water, heat and moisture are transferred into the lower atmosphere. This can cause air to rise and clouds to form in narrow bands, occasionally producing light flurries.
Temperatures are expected to rebound slightly on Friday before an even colder air mass moves into the state heading into the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
The Weather Prediction Center has identified parts of Florida as having up to a 20% chance of winter weather. While any snowfall would likely be brief and light, forecasters say flurries cannot be ruled out late Saturday if the cold air and moisture align.
