For spring breakers and snowbirds hoping to enjoy Florida next week, a potent cold front − possibly winter’s last stab − could bring chillier temperatures and the potential for several days of storms and spotty showers from Pensacola through the Keys.
People could see near-freezing temperatures in the Panhandle and North Florida and a cool down for the southern reaches of the state.
It’s all part of a storm tracking across the Plains and into the Great Lakes that is expected to pull down Arctic-chilled Canadian air that will hit hardest late Monday, March 16, through Tuesday, March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, and Wednesday, March 18.
What can Palm Beach County expect for temperatures?
For Sunday, March 15, Palm Beach County can expect partly sunny skies with a chance of showers and thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Highs are expected in the lower 80s. Rain chances increase to 50% at night, with lows in the lower 70s.
For Monday, March 16, it’ll be mostly sunny, with a chance of showers in the morning, then showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs are expected in the mid-80s. Nighttime gets cooler, with a chance of thunderstorms. Temperatures are forecast to be in the upper 50s.
For Tuesday, March 17, it’ll be much cooler. After a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning, highs are expected to be in the upper 60s. At night, temperatures will remain near steady in the lower 60s.
For Wednesday, March 18, it’s expected to be cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms, with highs in the lower 70s and lows in the lower 60s.
Temperatures return to normal, with highs in the mid-70s, on Thursday, March 18.
The normal daytime high in South Florida for this time of year is about 81 degrees with a normal overnight low of 66 degrees.
Harsher weather forecast for the rest of Florida
The National Weather Service in Tallahassee is warning of frost and a potential freeze Tuesday and Wednesday mornings with lows in the 30s and freezing to sub-freezing wind chill temperatures.
“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 recommends Panhandle residents, especially in the western reaches, bring in any plants they may have already moved outside. While he doesn’t expect the cold weather to affect citrus or other crops, it could do damage to cold-sensitive potted plants.
What can people going to Disney World, and Tampa, expect?
Disney World spring breakers should expect high temperatures in the low 80s on Monday, March 16 plummeting to a daytime high of near 60 degrees on Tuesday, March 17. Wednesday morning in Orlando could drop into the 40s but with mostly sunny skies and a high of 66 during the day.
Some isolated areas around Tampa could see 4 to 6 inches of rain over seven days with the heaviest showers, said Rick Davis, a meteorologist with the Tampa office of the NWS. Meteorologists at the NWS office in Melbourne said if the cold front clashes with the peak of daytime heating, a few gusty storms are possible Monday.
Will the rain help with Florida’s drought?
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor’s March 12 report, about 73% of Florida is in extreme drought, which is a level 3 on a 4-tier drought severity scale.
The cold front should clear the state Tuesday and stall over Cuba with the potential for showers lingering 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 fiery beach 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 critters as the Embracing Florida reporter. If you have news tips, please send them to kmiller@pbpost.com. You can get all of 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?
