Spring breakers and snowbirds hoping to enjoy Florida next week should prepare for a potent cold front—possibly winter's last—that could bring cooler temperatures and several days of storms and scattered showers from Pensacola through the Keys.
Near-freezing temperatures are expected in the Panhandle and North Florida, with a noticeable cooldown in the southern parts of the state.
This weather event is linked to a storm moving across the Plains into the Great Lakes, which will pull down Arctic-chilled Canadian air. The coldest impact is forecast for late Monday, March 16, through Tuesday, March 17 (St. Patrick's Day), and Wednesday, March 18.
What Can Palm Beach County Expect for Temperatures?
Sunday, March 15: Partly sunny skies with a chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 80s. Rain chances increase to 50% overnight, with lows in the lower 70s.
Monday, March 16: Mostly sunny with a chance of morning showers, followed by likely showers and a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the mid-80s. Cooler at night with a chance of thunderstorms and temperatures dropping to the upper 50s.
Tuesday, March 17: Much cooler with a chance of morning showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 60s. Nighttime temperatures steady in the lower 60s.
Wednesday, March 18: Cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 70s and lows in the lower 60s.
Temperatures are expected to return to normal on Thursday, March 19, with highs in the mid-70s.
The typical daytime high in South Florida this time of year is about 81 degrees, with an average overnight low of 66 degrees.
Harsher Weather Forecast for the Rest of Florida
The National Weather Service in Tallahassee warns of frost and a potential freeze Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, with lows in the 30s and wind chill temperatures at or below freezing.
“This is probably the last big cold front for the year for Florida,” said AccuWeather meteorologist Alex Da Silva. “Not to say there can’t be another front, but in terms of really significant freezing temperatures, this is probably the last one.”
Da Silva advises Panhandle residents, especially in western areas, to bring in any plants already moved outdoors. While the cold is not expected to harm citrus or other crops, it could damage cold-sensitive potted plants.
What Can Visitors to Disney World and Tampa Expect?
Spring breakers at Disney World should expect highs in the low 80s on Monday, March 16, dropping sharply to near 60 degrees on Tuesday, March 17. Wednesday morning in Orlando could see temperatures in the 40s, with mostly sunny skies and a high of 66 during the day.
Some isolated areas around Tampa may receive 4 to 6 inches of rain over seven days, with the heaviest showers expected, according to Rick Davis, a meteorologist with the Tampa National Weather Service office. The Melbourne NWS office noted that if the cold front coincides with peak daytime heating, a few gusty storms are possible Monday.
Will the Rain Help Florida's Drought?
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor’s March 12 report, about 73% of Florida is experiencing extreme drought, which is level 3 on a 4-tier drought severity scale.
The cold front is expected to clear the state by Tuesday and stall over Cuba, with lingering showers possible in Central and South Florida through the week.
Cameron Flynn, owner of Panama City Beach Bonfires, said the possibility of near-freezing temperatures hasn’t slowed his spring break business, with families still booking beach bonfire experiences.
“In the winter season when people are here and it’s cold, it makes the bonfires more attractive,” Flynn said. “So, it’s a good thing when it cools down, but we do them in July too.”
Ian Rodriguez and Jada Castro snuggle in the cold while watching the sun rise on February, 2026, in Palm Beach, Florida.
Kimberly Miller is a journalist for the USA TODAY NETWORK FLORIDA. She covers weather, the environment, and wildlife as the Embracing Florida reporter. If you have news tips, please send them to [email protected]. You can receive Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at palmbeachpost.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida's 'last' cold front ... what can Palm Beach County expect?
