Next week, parts of the Florida Panhandle might experience snow and ice, followed by extremely cold temperatures, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Meteorologists are tracking a winter weather threat that could bring a “wintry mix” to north Florida, followed by a polar vortex blast of cold air.

NWS forecasters in Mobile posted on X urging northern Florida residents to prepare for “very cold weather” by protecting people, plants, pets, and pipes.

AccuWeather reported multiple storms brewing across the U.S. — from the Midwest to the Appalachians and the Atlantic Seaboard — which could bring snowy and icy conditions to millions. As two storms move out on Monday, lingering moisture near the Gulf of Mexico may form a new storm tracking northeast into the Arctic air.

AccuWeather forecasters noted that the storm’s track and intensity will determine if heavy snow or significant ice will impact parts of the Southern states early next week and if accumulating snow will reach the mid-Atlantic and New England later next week.

What does this mean for Florida?

Though specifics are unclear, the NWS in Mobile is monitoring two potential scenarios for Tuesday and Wednesday in the Florida Panhandle.

In the first scenario, a low-pressure system develops over the central Gulf and moves east across Florida, bringing a “greater potential for a wintry mix” in the Southeast and northern Florida.

The second scenario shows lower chances of a low-pressure system forming in the far southern Gulf, resulting in “dry but bitter cold” weather for northern Florida.

“With cold temps in place, there’s a track-dependent, non-zero chance for wintry precip,” wrote the NWS in Tallahassee on X.

While “wintry precipitation is still on the table,” the Tallahassee office expressed “low confidence” that this scenario will occur.

“Regardless of the winter weather threat, it will turn very cold early next week,” noted the NWS Mobile office.

Latest Tampa Weather Forecast from the National Weather Service

• Thursday: Mostly cloudy, high near 64°F, East-northeast wind 5-7 mph.
• Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, low around 48°F, calm wind.
• Friday: Mostly sunny, high near 69°F, light and variable wind becoming East-northeast around 6 mph in the morning.
• Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, low around 56°F, calm wind becoming Southeast around 5 mph after midnight.
• Saturday: 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m., mostly cloudy, high near 74°F, South-southwest wind 6-10 mph, gusts as high as 18 mph.
• Saturday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, low around 65°F, South-southwest wind around 8 mph, 80% chance of precipitation.
• Sunday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms, high near 71°F, West-southwest wind 7-9 mph, 80% chance of precipitation.
• Sunday Night: 20% chance of showers before 1 a.m., mostly cloudy, low around 45°F, North-northwest wind 6-8 mph.
• M.L. King Day: 20% chance of showers after 1 p.m., mostly cloudy, high near 54°F, North wind 8-10 mph.
• Monday Night: 50% chance of showers, mostly cloudy, low around 44°F.
• Tuesday: Showers likely, cloudy, high near 59°F, 60% chance of precipitation.
• Tuesday Night: 50% chance of showers, mostly cloudy, low around 44°F.
• Wednesday: 20% chance of showers, partly sunny, high near 62°F.

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