We looked through all the climate data to find the 10 coldest cities in Florida so you know where you can cool off during its hot and steamy summers.

While you may think of Florida as an oppressive tropical jungle, not all parts of the state are bathed in heat and humidity all year round. Many cities in Florida’s northern Panhandle area, as well as its coastline, experience colder temperatures than the state’s average, especially during the winter. If you’re tired of the heat or just want to know more about the cool side of Florida, then our research, which includes the latest climate data to back it up, will let you know where to look.

10 Coldest Cities in Florida

10. Gainesville

Location: Check on Google Maps

Gainesville is located in Central Florida and has winters that are a little cooler than the majority of the state. The home of the University of Florida experiences average annual temperatures of about 70°F, with winter nights sometimes even dipping down into the mid 40s. Gainesville residents can also experience some frost on the ground during temporary cold snaps.

Why It’s Cold: Gainesville’s inland location and northern latitude contribute to its cooler winter temperatures compared to Florida’s coastal and southern regions.

9. Apalachicola

Location: Check on Google Maps

Apalachicola is a small coastal city in the Panhandle that is famous for its seafood and its throwback-type of living. The city has an average annual temperature of around 70°F, but winter nights can be much cooler, with temperatures occasionally dropping into the mid 40s. The town’s coastal location allows residents to enjoy a cool breeze throughout the year that landlocked areas of the state don’t benefit from.

Why It’s Cold: While its position near the Gulf of Mexico keeps it warm, Apalachicola gets colder winters compared to Central and South Florida due to the Panhandle’s propensity for cold fronts.

8. Pensacola

Location: Check on Google Maps

Pensacola is a growing city located in the westernmost part of the Panhandle on the Gulf Coast. Summers are still quite scorching here, but Pensacola enjoys a milder climate overall with significantly cooler winter temperatures than most other places across the state. Its average annual temperature is about 70°F and nights can get into the low 40s during January and February.

Why It’s Cold: Even though it is situated along the coastline, Pensacola’s northern position within Florida allows cold air masses from the mainland continent to sometimes reach it and provide some relief.

7. Lake City

Location: Check on Google Maps

Lake City sometimes gets a little warmer than many other Panhandle cities, but it still experiences colder winters compared to most parts of Florida. Lake City’s climate is also regulated by the fact that the city lies next to Suwannee River, which helps contribute to milder weather conditions (and contributes to its scenic beauty).

Lake City’s average annual temperature is around 70°F, with winter lows in the 40s and occasional frosts during severe cold spells. 

Why It’s Cold: Lake City’s more northern latitude and location right on the river help alleviate some of the heat and humidity that the rest of Florida suffers through during the summer.

6. Tallahassee

Location: Check on Google Maps

You can also find a cooler climate in the capital of Florida. Tallahassee has an average annual temperature of just 68°F, with winter nights that can be quite chilly, with the mercury often dropping into the 30s. It even went below 20°F in 2023, which wreaked havoc on many of the citrus trees in the area. Tallahassee even gets some snowfall once in a while, most recently in 2018. 

Why It’s Cold: While being inland plays a role, Tallahassee is also a bit elevated as it sits at the southern end of the Red Hills Region. These two factors are the main reasons why it experiences lower temperatures than the rest of Florida, especially during winter months.

5. Quincy

Location: Check on Google Maps

Quincy is a small town with a historic downtown area situated in the northern part of the state just a 30 minute drive west of Tallahassee. Quincy offers an average annual temperature of about 68°F. Meanwhile, winter nights often dip into the 30s, and there are many mornings when frost forms on the ground.

Why It’s Cold: Just like Tallahassee, Quincy is in the northern, inland part of the state, but is also more elevated than the rest of Florida, which leads to slightly lower temperatures compared to flatter areas. In fact, parts of Quincy are over 200 feet in elevation.

4. Milton

Location: Check on Google Maps

Milton, which is located just northeast of Pensacola on the Florida Panhandle, is another (relatively) cold weather city in the Sunshine State. With an average annual temperature of around 69°F, the winter lows are typically in the mid 30s and it can be frosty on some days.

Why It’s Cold: While Milton’s northern latitude makes it prone to colder winter air masses, its cooler climate is also due to the city’s proximity to Blackwater River State Forest, which helps naturally lower how much heat is retained in the area.

3. Marianna

Location: Check on Google Maps

Marianna is another Panhandle city that is halfway between Tallahassee and Pensacola (which kind of makes it in the middle of nowhere). The yearly average temperature for this town stands at 68°F, with a possibility of going down to freezing on most winter nights.

Why It’s Cold: It is located in the northwestern part of Florida and is further north than any other city on this list so far, therefore Marianna enjoys even cooler temperatures as it is a bit further from the equator.

2. DeFuniak Springs

Location: Check on Google Maps

Another town that is in the very northern part of Florida is DeFuniak Springs, which lies about 1 hour west of Marianna. This historic city has an average temperature of about 68°F, but winter lows can easily dip into the 30s, with record lows even reaching 0 degrees.

Why It’s Cold: DeFuniak Springs’ climate is cooled by Lake DeFuniak, while it is also one of Florida’s highest elevated cities, coming in at 259 feet above sea level. These two factors really help to cool things down compared to the rest of the state.

1. Crestview

Location: Check on Google Maps

The city of Crestview holds the title for being the coldest city in Florida based on average temperatures. This Panhandle city has an average temperature of just 67°F. During winter months when it is at its coldest point, Crestview often has lows in the 30s and occasionally goes below freezing. The city also averages about 15 days of frost per year.

Why It’s Cold: The city’s inland location as well as its relatively high elevation (around 235 feet above sea level) allows its climate to be significantly cooler than the rest of Florida.

Summary

The next time you are in Florida and start sweating without even moving, think about taking a day trip (or even relocating) to some of the cities on this list.

Whether it’s historical appeal found at DeFuniak Springs or a collegetown vibe in Gainesville, there is a large variety of places that can help cool you off and offer some fun as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are these cities cooler than the rest of Florida?

Generally, these cities can be found in the north and inland parts of Florida which are less influenced by the sea’s heating effect, which absorbs heat in the summer and carries it through the fall and winter. Many places also have higher altitudes and thinner air that allow for higher fluctuation in temperatures, especially during winter months.

Does it ever snow in Florida?

Florida rarely experiences snow, though it happens occasionally in some parts of the northern region like Tallahassee and Crestview. However, snowfalls are usually just a light dusting and quite short-lived.

What is the coldest temperature ever recorded in Florida?

The lowest temperature on record reached -2 degrees Fahrenheit, which occurred on February 13th, 1899 in Tallahassee. It was during a once-in-a-lifetime cold snap that affected much of the South.

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