FLORIDA — A rare winter weather setup could bring snow flurries to parts of the Tampa Bay area late Saturday night into early Sunday morning, according to forecast guidance issued by the National Weather Service office in Tampa Bay/Ruskin.
The forecast highlights a narrow coastal zone along west-central Florida where Arctic air moving over the eastern Gulf may briefly support snow flurries or a rain-snow mix. While this is an unusual scenario for Florida, officials stress that no accumulation is expected, and impacts should remain minimal.
When Snow Flurries Could Occur
The timing window for any wintry precipitation is short. Forecast data shows the best chance for snow flurries between 11 PM Saturday and 1 AM Sunday, with flurries potentially lingering in some locations until around 7 AM Sunday.
This timing coincides with the coldest overnight temperatures, which are necessary for flakes to survive to the surface in Florida’s typically warm environment.
Where the Best Chances Exist
The highest potential is focused along the immediate Gulf Coast of west-central Florida, including areas near Crystal River, Brooksville, Tampa, Sarasota, and southward toward Fort Myers. Offshore and near-coastal zones show the strongest signal for snow flurries, while inland areas are more likely to see cold rain or no precipitation at all…