Florida, 2009Frost and Freeze and Cold in Florida, February 5, 2009
February 5, 2009 · NWS MFL · 11 events in 10 counties and zones
A arctic cold front swept through South Florida early on February 3. Cold air of arctic origin poured across the region in the wake of the front, causing freezing temperatures and crop damage.
Every event with a place to put it; 11 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
Open the live radar over this ground
- Deaths
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 11
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
A arctic cold front swept through South Florida early on February 3. Cold air of arctic origin poured across the region in the wake of the front, causing freezing temperatures and crop damage.
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Miami, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 5, 12:27 AM EST, 1 hour 33 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Feb 5, 12:27 AM EST, 1 hour 33 minutes before
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</html>Cold/Wind Chill, Metro Broward County
- When
- February 5, 2:00 AM EST to 9:00 AM EST
- Where
- Metro Broward County forecast zone
- Deaths
- 1 direct, 0 indirect
- Reported by
- Newspaper
- Coordinates
- 26.152, -80.456 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
A 49-year-old homeless man died of hypothermia as a result of exposure to temperatures in the 30s and wind chill reading as low as the mid to upper 20s. The man had settled for the night in a tent near a wooded area off Powerline Road in Pompano Beach.
Witnesses told investigators the man had consumed an excessive amount of alcohol the previous evening. The medical examiner indicated hypothermia as a very important element, along with the amount of alcohol in the man's body.
Frost/Freeze, Glades
- When
- February 5, 2:45 AM EST to 8:30 AM EST
- Where
- Glades forecast zone
- Reported by
- Mesonet
- Coordinates
- 26.957, -81.189 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Very cold air settled over Florida behind an arctic cold front which moved through the state on February 3. The coldest temperatures in 6 years were recorded at many locations. Low temperatures dropped into the mid to upper 20s over interior areas west and southwest of Lake Okeechobee, with temperatures of 32 degrees or lower over most of the remainder of south Florida. The only areas which did not see temperatures drop to freezing were coastal Broward and coastal and metro Miami-Dade counties. The lowest recorded temperature in south Florida was Palmdale which recorded a low of 22 degrees at a height of 2 feet.
Rather strong winds accompanied the cold overnight temperatures and led to early morning wind chills in the 20 to 30 degree range over all of South Florida.
Record lows for the date were tied at West Palm Beach (33 degrees) and Miami Beach (37 degrees).
The cold temperatures led to the death of a homeless man in Pompano Beach. Crops were damaged by the cold, including tropical fruits, tomatoes, corn and sugar cane.
Frost/Freeze, Hendry
- When
- February 5, 3:00 AM EST to 8:15 AM EST
- Where
- Hendry forecast zone
- Reported by
- Mesonet
- Coordinates
- 26.554, -81.166 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Very cold air settled over Florida behind an arctic cold front which moved through the state on February 3. The coldest temperatures in 6 years were recorded at many locations. Low temperatures dropped into the mid to upper 20s over interior areas west and southwest of Lake Okeechobee, with temperatures of 32 degrees or lower over most of the remainder of south Florida. The only areas which did not see temperatures drop to freezing were coastal Broward and coastal and metro Miami-Dade counties. The lowest recorded temperature in south Florida was Palmdale which recorded a low of 22 degrees at a height of 2 feet.
Rather strong winds accompanied the cold overnight temperatures and led to early morning wind chills in the 20 to 30 degree range over all of South Florida.
Record lows for the date were tied at West Palm Beach (33 degrees) and Miami Beach (37 degrees).
The cold temperatures led to the death of a homeless man in Pompano Beach. Crops were damaged by the cold, including tropical fruits, tomatoes, corn and sugar cane.
Frost/Freeze, Inland Collier County
- When
- February 5, 3:00 AM EST to 8:15 AM EST
- Where
- Inland Collier County forecast zone
- Reported by
- Mesonet
- Coordinates
- 26.099, -81.381 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Very cold air settled over Florida behind an arctic cold front which moved through the state on February 3. The coldest temperatures in 6 years were recorded at many locations. Low temperatures dropped into the mid to upper 20s over interior areas west and southwest of Lake Okeechobee, with temperatures of 32 degrees or lower over most of the remainder of south Florida. The only areas which did not see temperatures drop to freezing were coastal Broward and coastal and metro Miami-Dade counties. The lowest recorded temperature in south Florida was Palmdale which recorded a low of 22 degrees at a height of 2 feet.
Rather strong winds accompanied the cold overnight temperatures and led to early morning wind chills in the 20 to 30 degree range over all of South Florida.
Record lows for the date were tied at West Palm Beach (33 degrees) and Miami Beach (37 degrees).
The cold temperatures led to the death of a homeless man in Pompano Beach. Crops were damaged by the cold, including tropical fruits, tomatoes, corn and sugar cane.
Frost/Freeze, Coastal Collier County
- When
- February 5, 5:30 AM EST to 8:00 AM EST
- Where
- Coastal Collier County forecast zone
- Reported by
- Mesonet
- Coordinates
- 26.099, -81.381 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Very cold air settled over Florida behind an arctic cold front which moved through the state on February 3. The coldest temperatures in 6 years were recorded at many locations. Low temperatures dropped into the mid to upper 20s over interior areas west and southwest of Lake Okeechobee, with temperatures of 32 degrees or lower over most of the remainder of south Florida. The only areas which did not see temperatures drop to freezing were coastal Broward and coastal and metro Miami-Dade counties. The lowest recorded temperature in south Florida was Palmdale which recorded a low of 22 degrees at a height of 2 feet.
Rather strong winds accompanied the cold overnight temperatures and led to early morning wind chills in the 20 to 30 degree range over all of South Florida.
Record lows for the date were tied at West Palm Beach (33 degrees) and Miami Beach (37 degrees).
The cold temperatures led to the death of a homeless man in Pompano Beach. Crops were damaged by the cold, including tropical fruits, tomatoes, corn and sugar cane.
Frost/Freeze, Inland Broward County
- When
- February 5, 6:00 AM EST to 7:45 AM EST
- Where
- Inland Broward County forecast zone
- Reported by
- Mesonet
- Coordinates
- 26.152, -80.456 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Very cold air settled over Florida behind an arctic cold front which moved through the state on February 3. The coldest temperatures in 6 years were recorded at many locations. Low temperatures dropped into the mid to upper 20s over interior areas west and southwest of Lake Okeechobee, with temperatures of 32 degrees or lower over most of the remainder of south Florida. The only areas which did not see temperatures drop to freezing were coastal Broward and coastal and metro Miami-Dade counties. The lowest recorded temperature in south Florida was Palmdale which recorded a low of 22 degrees at a height of 2 feet.
Rather strong winds accompanied the cold overnight temperatures and led to early morning wind chills in the 20 to 30 degree range over all of South Florida.
Record lows for the date were tied at West Palm Beach (33 degrees) and Miami Beach (37 degrees).
The cold temperatures led to the death of a homeless man in Pompano Beach. Crops were damaged by the cold, including tropical fruits, tomatoes, corn and sugar cane.
Frost/Freeze, Inland Miami-Dade
- When
- February 5, 6:00 AM EST to 7:20 AM EST
- Where
- Inland Miami-Dade forecast zone
- Reported by
- Mesonet
- Coordinates
- 25.609, -80.499 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Very cold air settled over Florida behind an arctic cold front which moved through the state on February 3. The coldest temperatures in 6 years were recorded at many locations. Low temperatures dropped into the mid to upper 20s over interior areas west and southwest of Lake Okeechobee, with temperatures of 32 degrees or lower over most of the remainder of south Florida. The only areas which did not see temperatures drop to freezing were coastal Broward and coastal and metro Miami-Dade counties. The lowest recorded temperature in south Florida was Palmdale which recorded a low of 22 degrees at a height of 2 feet.
Rather strong winds accompanied the cold overnight temperatures and led to early morning wind chills in the 20 to 30 degree range over all of South Florida.
Record lows for the date were tied at West Palm Beach (33 degrees) and Miami Beach (37 degrees).
The cold temperatures led to the death of a homeless man in Pompano Beach. Crops were damaged by the cold, including tropical fruits, tomatoes, corn and sugar cane.
Frost/Freeze, Inland Palm Beach County
- When
- February 5, 6:45 AM EST to 7:45 AM EST
- Where
- Inland Palm Beach County forecast zone
- Reported by
- Mesonet
- Coordinates
- 26.648, -80.436 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Very cold air settled over Florida behind an arctic cold front which moved through the state on February 3. The coldest temperatures in 6 years were recorded at many locations. Low temperatures dropped into the mid to upper 20s over interior areas west and southwest of Lake Okeechobee, with temperatures of 32 degrees or lower over most of the remainder of south Florida. The only areas which did not see temperatures drop to freezing were coastal Broward and coastal and metro Miami-Dade counties. The lowest recorded temperature in south Florida was Palmdale which recorded a low of 22 degrees at a height of 2 feet.
Rather strong winds accompanied the cold overnight temperatures and led to early morning wind chills in the 20 to 30 degree range over all of South Florida.
Record lows for the date were tied at West Palm Beach (33 degrees) and Miami Beach (37 degrees).
The cold temperatures led to the death of a homeless man in Pompano Beach. Crops were damaged by the cold, including tropical fruits, tomatoes, corn and sugar cane.
Frost/Freeze, Metro Palm Beach County
- When
- February 5, 6:45 AM EST to 7:45 AM EST
- Where
- Metro Palm Beach County forecast zone
- Reported by
- Mesonet
- Coordinates
- 26.648, -80.436 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Very cold air settled over Florida behind an arctic cold front which moved through the state on February 3. The coldest temperatures in 6 years were recorded at many locations. Low temperatures dropped into the mid to upper 20s over interior areas west and southwest of Lake Okeechobee, with temperatures of 32 degrees or lower over most of the remainder of south Florida. The only areas which did not see temperatures drop to freezing were coastal Broward and coastal and metro Miami-Dade counties. The lowest recorded temperature in south Florida was Palmdale which recorded a low of 22 degrees at a height of 2 feet.
Rather strong winds accompanied the cold overnight temperatures and led to early morning wind chills in the 20 to 30 degree range over all of South Florida.
Record lows for the date were tied at West Palm Beach (33 degrees) and Miami Beach (37 degrees).
The cold temperatures led to the death of a homeless man in Pompano Beach. Crops were damaged by the cold, including tropical fruits, tomatoes, corn and sugar cane.
Frost/Freeze, Coastal Palm Beach County
- When
- February 5, 6:45 AM EST to 7:45 AM EST
- Where
- Coastal Palm Beach County forecast zone
- Reported by
- Mesonet
- Coordinates
- 26.648, -80.436 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Very cold air settled over Florida behind an arctic cold front which moved through the state on February 3. The coldest temperatures in 6 years were recorded at many locations. Low temperatures dropped into the mid to upper 20s over interior areas west and southwest of Lake Okeechobee, with temperatures of 32 degrees or lower over most of the remainder of south Florida. The only areas which did not see temperatures drop to freezing were coastal Broward and coastal and metro Miami-Dade counties. The lowest recorded temperature in south Florida was Palmdale which recorded a low of 22 degrees at a height of 2 feet.
Rather strong winds accompanied the cold overnight temperatures and led to early morning wind chills in the 20 to 30 degree range over all of South Florida.
Record lows for the date were tied at West Palm Beach (33 degrees) and Miami Beach (37 degrees).
The cold temperatures led to the death of a homeless man in Pompano Beach. Crops were damaged by the cold, including tropical fruits, tomatoes, corn and sugar cane.
Frost/Freeze, Metro Broward County
- When
- February 5, 6:45 AM EST to 7:45 AM EST
- Where
- Metro Broward County forecast zone
- Reported by
- Mesonet
- Coordinates
- 26.152, -80.456 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Very cold air settled over Florida behind an arctic cold front which moved through the state on February 3. The coldest temperatures in 6 years were recorded at many locations. Low temperatures dropped into the mid to upper 20s over interior areas west and southwest of Lake Okeechobee, with temperatures of 32 degrees or lower over most of the remainder of south Florida. The only areas which did not see temperatures drop to freezing were coastal Broward and coastal and metro Miami-Dade counties. The lowest recorded temperature in south Florida was Palmdale which recorded a low of 22 degrees at a height of 2 feet.
Rather strong winds accompanied the cold overnight temperatures and led to early morning wind chills in the 20 to 30 degree range over all of South Florida.
Record lows for the date were tied at West Palm Beach (33 degrees) and Miami Beach (37 degrees).
The cold temperatures led to the death of a homeless man in Pompano Beach. Crops were damaged by the cold, including tropical fruits, tomatoes, corn and sugar cane.
- Cold/Wind Chill
- Cold or wind chill below warning criteria that caused deaths, injuries or damage.
- Frost/Freeze
- Frost or temperatures at or below freezing during the growing season, usually filed for crop damage.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 156933, 156923, 156924, 156925, 156926, 156931, 156932, 156927, 156928, 156929, 156930.