TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Panhandle woke under a hard freeze Tuesday morning, with a sharp bite in the air and a heavy frost blanketing lawns and rooftops. Steam rose from ponds and fields as temperatures plunged to near 32°F, marking North Florida’s first true brush with winter this season. For early risers, the cold felt more like January than November.
According to the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, both a Freeze Warning and Cold Weather Advisory remain in effect through 8 a.m. Tuesday for much of the Florida Panhandle, south Georgia, and southeast Alabama. Wind chills have dipped into the upper 20s, creating potentially hazardous conditions for anyone spending extended time outdoors. The agency urges residents to bring pets and sensitive plants inside, wrap exposed pipes, and check on elderly neighbors.
Calm, clear skies will allow another cold morning Wednesday before a sharp rebound later in the day. Sunshine and light winds will send temperatures soaring into the upper 60s to near 70°F by afternoon — a welcome shift after the biting chill. From Thursday through the weekend, conditions turn comfortably mild with highs in the mid-70s and clear skies ideal for early holiday decorating or fall clean-up.
This cold snap, though brief, serves as a seasonal wake-up for residents across North Florida. It’s the strongest Arctic surge so far this fall, and forecasters note that similar cold outbreaks could return closer to Thanksgiving. For now, the week’s bright stretch ahead offers a warm reward after a frosty start to Veterans Day.
Five-Day Forecast for Tallahassee, FL:
Tue: 55/33 – Sunny; hard freeze early; light north breeze.
Wed: 70/47 – Sunny; warmer afternoon; crisp morning.
Thu: 75/49 – Mostly clear; calm and mild.
Fri: 76/49 – Bright and warm; perfect outdoor weather.
Sat: 77/53 – Mostly sunny; hint of humidity returns.
