Thanksgiving week in Florida is marked by record high temperatures and bitterly cold winds

Thanksgiving weather in Florida – Pictured: Woman sits by the beach in cold weather – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by: fantom_rd

Some parts of Florida may experience lower temperatures on Thanksgiving or Black Friday due to a cold front moving in from the west, which also poses a risk of storms or perhaps a tornado or two.

On Thanksgiving or Black Friday, the Tallahassee region may experience wind chills that are cold or close to freezing.

If it seems like the weather in Florida is trying to mimic a roller coaster, it’s true.

In addition to the record high temperatures recorded over the weekend, above-average temperatures are predicted to persist early this week.

On November 22, the temperatures in Tallahassee and Apalachicola either broke or tied records. Apalachicola hit 80, shattering its 2011 high of 79, and Tallahassee got 84, tying its 1997 record.

According to the National Weather Service Tallahassee, Apalachicola broke its record of 81 set in 1998 and 2013 on November 23 by reaching 83, which was significantly higher than the normal high of 71.

As you finalize your vacation arrangements, take a look at these Florida forecasts.

What date is Thanksgiving in 2025?

The fourth Thursday of November is usually Thanksgiving.

The holiday will take place on November 27 this year.

NOAA forecast shows variation of temps over Florida with cold front expected

Low temperatures on Black Friday, November 28, might reach the upper 30s in the Panhandle and North Florida and the upper 60s in South Florida.

Residents of Florida are cautioned by AccuWeather to prepare for temperature swings.

Chad Merrill, a senior meteorologist with AccuWeather, stated in an email that “it will turn noticeably cooler as temperatures in Florida will go from above average before Thanksgiving Day to below-average late Thursday into the weekend.”

“The front will bring limited amounts of rain to Florida Wednesday through Thanksgiving Day. The combination of the breezy wind, low humidity in the wake of the front, and less rainfall than usual this month will probably increase the risk of fire in the central and northern parts of the state during the first part of the holiday weekend.

“A couple of sea-breeze related showers will close out the weekend, mainly on Florida’s east coast.”

Fox Weather is forecasting sporadic storms for Thanksgiving and Black Friday in several parts of Florida.

According to an email from Fox Weather meteorologist Craig Herrera, there could be isolated storms in southern Florida and the Florida Panhandle on Thursday afternoon.

“Those showers and storms will be around on Friday as well before clearing out by Saturday.”

When will next cold front hit Florida?

On Wednesday, Nov. 26, a cold front is predicted to pass into North Florida and the Panhandle before heading southward along the peninsula.

On Thanksgiving Day, the front is expected to pass through central Florida before reaching South Florida.

Tuesday, Nov. 25, is expected to see two rounds of strong to severe storms that could produce “damaging winds, large hail up to quarter sized and a tornado or two,” according to the National Weather Service Mobile.

Thanksgiving may see highs in the mid 50s to lower 60s, with temperatures close to 80 degrees on November 24 ahead of a cold front.

Thanksgiving night lows will be much lower than usual for this time of year, in the lower to middle 30s, and Friday night lows will be slightly warmer, in the middle to upper 30s.

Thanksgiving and Black Friday wind chills might be chilly or almost freezing in Tallahassee.

The Tallahassee region is ready for a cold front after temperatures over the weekend reached or tied records.

According to the National Weather Service Tallahassee, the cold front is predicted to pass over the Tallahassee region on Wednesday or Wednesday night, bringing with it a higher likelihood of rain and the possibility of a few severe thunderstorms.

Black Friday and Thanksgiving Day could see late-night or early-morning wind chills that are frigid to almost freezing.

During the first half of the week, daytime highs should typically be in the upper 70s to low 80s, then drop into the 60s once the cold front passes.

By the conclusion of the holiday week, overnight lows will have dropped into the 30s after starting in the upper 50s to mid-60s.

Near record highs followed by wind chills in the 30s forecast in Northeast Florida

Northeast Florida is expected to see “near record highs inland through Wednesday,” according to the Jacksonville National Weather Service.

On Wednesday, a powerful cold front is predicted to approach the region.

By Thanksgiving morning, winds will cause wind chills in inland areas to reach the upper 30s.

Cold front might bring cooler-than-normal temps to Central Florida in time for Thanksgiving

There will be low clouds and more locally dense fog as a result of a weak front “oozing” into Central Florida, but there won’t be any cooling and the temperatures will stay high throughout late November and early this week.

The National Weather Service Melbourne predicts that a stronger cold front will pass through early Thanksgiving, bringing cooler-than-normal temperatures late in the week with generally dry conditions continuing.

Highs continue to climb into Wednesday, reaching the low to mid 80s. Then, behind the cold front, the maximum temperatures drop throughout Thanksgiving Day, reaching the upper 60s around the Volusia County coast and the 70s further inland and south, with the exception of southern Okeechobee County and the Treasure Coast, where they are close to 80 degrees.

Highs then fall even further into Friday, to the mid 60s to low 70s, as a north-northeast breeze continues to usher in cooler-than-normal temps. Most places see lows in the 50s on Thursday and Friday night, but temperatures north of I-4 are predicted to drop much farther, into the mid to high 40s.

South Florida could get ‘slightly’ wetter, cooler conditions on Thanksgiving

The National Weather Service Miami predicts that South Florida will be warm and dry in the first half of the week, and that Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday will be a little wetter and colder when a cold front moves through.

By Wednesday afternoon, apparent temperatures may begin to rise toward the low 90s before falling as the front and related rain pass through. The high on Thanksgiving Day might be close to 82, while the low that evening might be 59.

Thanksgiving in Southwest Florida is predicted to be “much colder, drier conditions.”

The National Weather Service Tampa Bay predicts “much cooler and drier conditions late in the week” for Southwest Florida.

“Most of the forecast area will see significant changes in the middle to late week when a powerful cold front moves across the area on Wednesday night and Thursday.

“Later in the week, temperatures will fall several degrees below climate norms… With evening low temperatures Thursday and Friday, especially along the Nature Coast, model guidance may be a few or several degrees warmer.


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