Historic cold grips South Florida, prompting advisories and expanded shelter services

South Florida is experiencing its coldest air since 1989, with temperatures plunging to record lows over the weekend and another frigid night expected ahead.

Forecasters say temperatures are expected to drop into the mid-30s by Monday morning. When combined with strong winds, wind chills are forecast to dip into the 20s once again, reaching the threshold for another Cold Weather Advisory.

While a gradual warm-up is expected later in the week, temperatures will remain cooler than average, with highs only reaching the low 70s by Thursday. Another cold front is forecast to move through late next week, bringing renewed drops in temperature for Friday and the weekend.

Saturday marked record low temperatures across parts of South Florida, leaving many residents adjusting to the unusually cold conditions. While the overall risk of hypothermia remains low, officials say elderly individuals and people who work long hours outdoors are more vulnerable.

Fire officials also issued safety warnings, particularly around the use of space heaters.

“Space heaters are the number one cause for cold weather house fires,” Miami-Dade fire officials said. “Keep them at least three feet away from anything that can burn, never use extension cords, and take the precaution to turn them off before you leave your home.”

The cold snap has also affected animals. Broward County officials urged residents to bring pets indoors to protect them from the cold.

“Now that we’re in cold weather, it’s very important for our community to bring their animals inside the house,” said Zachary Rinkins of Broward County Animal Care. “Bring your pets inside the house so they can be warm.”

In Miami-Dade County, Animal Services collected blankets and beds to help keep dogs warm and encouraged residents to open their homes to shelter animals. Officials said more than 90 people have stepped forward to temporarily house animals during the cold spell.

Experts continue to advise residents to layer up when heading outdoors.

As temperatures dropped, homeless outreach organizations across South Florida mobilized to assist those most affected by the cold. In Fort Lauderdale, the Homeless Voice organization distributed clothing and supplies to unhoused individuals Saturday night.

“These are all full of shirts, pants,” said Sean Cononie of the Homeless Voice organization, as he handed out supplies to people lined up outside a truck stocked with donations.

In downtown Fort Lauderdale, where many individuals lack shelter, The Salvation Army in Broward County opened every available room and placed cots to accommodate those seeking warmth.

Palm Beach County officials also moved quickly to respond. The county’s Division of Emergency Management activated the Emergency Operations Center to a Level III – Enhanced Monitoring status due to the anticipated cold conditions.

Palm Beach County plans to activate its Cold Weather Shelter Program beginning Saturday, January 31, at 7 p.m., with shelters remaining open through 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, depending on weather conditions. The following emergency shelters will be open:

• Salvation Army Center of Hope
  1577 N. Military Trail #1, West Palm Beach

• Belle Glade Transitional Shelter and Lake Village at the Glades
  341 NW 11th Street, Belle Glade

In Broward County, officials announced an extension of cold weather emergency sheltering through Monday night, February 2, 2026, as extremely low temperatures are expected to continue into early next week.

Shelter placement for individuals and families experiencing homelessness will be available nightly. Homeless individuals are advised to report to The Salvation Army beginning at 5:30 p.m. each evening, with dinner served at 4:30 p.m.

• The Salvation Army
  1445 W. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale

Shelter beds will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and space is limited. Officials are urging residents to notify unhoused individuals in their communities about the available cold weather services as the historic cold continues.