Florida is facing one of its coldest weather outbreaks in roughly 15 years, with multiple hard freezes, dangerous wind chills, and conditions many people, homes, and landscapes are not prepared for. This is not just one cold morning. It is a prolonged stretch of cold that increases risk with each passing night.

In this episode of Meteorology Matters, the podcast explains what makes this Florida cold snap different, why duration matters more than a single temperature, and why even temperatures that may not sound extreme can cause serious problems in Florida. Meteorology Matters is created and produced by meteorologist Rob Jones.

The episode breaks down what to expect across the state, from north Florida through central Florida, the Tampa Bay area, and into south Florida. This includes why some coastal areas near Tampa Bay could see brief flurries, why confidence remains low, and why snow is not the real story. The real danger is cold exposure, repeated freezes, and wind chills.

Meteorology Matters focuses on practical, real world guidance for Floridians, including how to protect pipes and plumbing, what homeowners should do before temperatures drop, how cold affects pets, livestock, and outdoor animals, what to know about vehicle issues during extreme cold, and how to protect citrus trees, tropical plants, vegetables, and container plants. The episode also explains why timing matters when covering plants and preparing homes, including what should be done before sunset and what should remain protected overnight.

The episode places Florida’s cold snap into the broader Arctic outbreak affecting much of the United States, including the very real dangers of hypothermia and carbon monoxide poisoning. Special attention is given to community responsibility, including checking on elderly neighbors, supporting warming shelters, calling 211 for local resources, and helping people experiencing homelessness during hard freezes.

If you live in Florida, have family in Florida, or know someone who may not be prepared for this kind of cold, this is essential listening.

Like, follow, comment, rate, and share to help others stay informed and safe.

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Florida isn’t supposed to freeze — but history tells a very different story.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into Florida’s most impactful cold snaps, from historic freezes that reshaped agriculture and infrastructure to modern cold waves that still catch millions off guard. We’ll explain why prolonged cold is so unusual in Florida, how events like the famous 1977 snow and the January 2010 freeze fit into the bigger picture, and why even recent cold Christmases left such a lasting impression.

While much of the country battles snow and ice, Florida’s version of winter creates unique risks — for people, property, plants, and infrastructure not built for extended cold. This episode connects past and present to explain why cold snaps in the Sunshine State feel different, hit harder, and are remembered longer than almost anywhere else in the U.S.

Whether you’re living through a Florida cold snap right now or remembering one from years past, this episode puts today’s chill into historical perspective.

Florida, USA

Tampa Bay, Florida

New Port Richey, Florida

Orlando, Florida

Ocala, Florida

Tallahassee, Florida

Miami, Florida

Central Florida

North Florida

Gulf Coast Florida

Southeastern United States

PODCAST TITLE

Historic Winter Storm Threatens Two-Thirds of the U.S.: Snow, Ice, Power Outages & Dangerous Cold

PODCAST SUMMARY / DESCRIPTION

A massive and unusually widespread winter storm is unfolding across the eastern two-thirds of the United States, bringing heavy snow, crippling ice, and dangerously cold air to more than 200 million people. From the Deep South—where infrastructure is least prepared for ice storms—to the Midwest, Appalachians, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast, this storm is expected to cause major travel disruptions, power outages, school closures, and prolonged recovery challenges. In this episode, we break down the most critical impacts, the highest-risk regions, and why this event stands out historically—occurring at the same time meteorologists from around the world gather for the American Meteorological Society’s annual meeting in Texas.

PODCAST SHOW / SERIES

Meteorology Matters

EPISODE TYPE

Weather Analysis / Breaking Weather Event

LANGUAGE

English

CONTENT RATING

General / All Audiences

AUTHOR / HOST

Rob Jones

PUBLISHER

Meteorology Matters

PODCAST LOCATION (HOST LOCATION)

Florida, United States

PRIMARY EVENT LOCATIONS (GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS)

United States

DETAILED EVENT REGIONS (OPTIONAL FIELD)

Deep South (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee),

Midwest,

Appalachians,

Mid-Atlantic,

Northeast,

Southeast United States

SEASON (OPTIONAL)

Winter 2025–2026

EPISODE TIMELINE / DATE RANGE

Late January 2026

EPISODE NOTES (OPTIONAL RSS FIELD)

This episode focuses on the societal impacts of a high-impact winter storm, including snow accumulation, ice accretion, power outages, road closures, aviation disruptions, and extreme cold risks, with special attention to regions unaccustomed to prolonged winter weather.

WEBSITE / BRAND

https://meteorologymatters.com

COPYRIGHT

© 2026 Meteorology Matters