Cold Front Hits South Florida Just Before New Year’s Eve

Miami, Florida – A cold front set to sweep through South Florida just in time for New Year's Eve will bring much cooler temperatures, helping residents ring in 2026 with a chill. The region, which experienced highs in the mid-80s on Monday, is bracing for some of the coolest weather seen in nearly a year.

The cold front that has been tracked will begin pushing through South Florida late Tuesday morning. Ahead of its arrival, sunshine and west winds allowed for unseasonably warm daytime temperatures, nearly hitting record highs.

According to forecasts, highs on Tuesday will struggle to reach the low 70s and will likely fall throughout the day. By the evening, temperatures are expected to drop into the 40s across most areas, marking the coldest nights since January. The overnight temperatures could even dip lower on Wednesday night, with the Florida Keys expected to see lows in the 50s.

Weather experts predict that New Year’s Eve parties will collide with dropping temperatures around 6 a.m. Thursday morning. The Miami and Fort Lauderdale areas, which could reach afternoon highs of 72, will rapidly cool after midnight as the front moves through.

The National Weather Service in Miami notes that the winds will shift to the north, causing the “feels-like” temperatures to be several degrees colder. A 20% chance of scattered showers may also accompany the colder air late in the day.

On New Year’s Day, residents can expect sunny skies but cool afternoon highs, only nudging into the 60s. Meteorologist Dave Warren from CBS News Miami remarked, “The start of the New Year will be even colder, with temperatures barely climbing out of the 60s each afternoon.”

Despite the chill, forecasters predict a warm-up as the weekend approaches, with temperatures in the 60s and 70s returning as winds die down.