With freezing temperatures descending upon Indian River County this weekend, bringing lows into the mid-20s, many locals are asking a question that rarely crosses the minds of Floridians: Could it actually snow in Vero Beach?
While forecasts for the current cold front predict a hard freeze rather than a winter wonderland for the Treasure Coast, the drop in temperature has sparked a look back at the region’s surprisingly active history with winter weather. Snow in Florida is rare, but according to historical weather data, it is not impossible.
The Great Snow of 1977
The last time appreciable, verified snow fell across the Treasure Coast was nearly 49 years ago. On January 19, 1977, a historic arctic blast swept through the state, pushing freezing air and snow as far south as Homestead—a first in South Florida’s recorded history.
During this event, temperatures in Vero Beach plummeted to a frigid 23 degrees. To put that era into perspective:
In 1977, gasoline cost just 66 cents a gallon, the minimum wage was $2.30 an hour, and a dozen eggs cost under $0.85.
A Timeline of Winter Weather on the Treasure Coast
While 1977 is the most famous instance, it is not the only time the region has seen frozen precipitation. Documented weather history shows at least three verified instances where snow or significant flurries reached our area:
- January 16-20, 1977: Two Arctic blasts resulted in snowfall reaching Homestead and record lows across the region.
- December 25, 1989: A “White Christmas” of sorts occurred when a hard freeze extended into Vero Beach and Fort Pierce, accompanied by light snow flurries.
- January 24, 2003: Light snow flurries were reported as far south as Fort Pierce.
The Deep Freeze of 2010
More recently, residents may remember the prolonged cold snap of January 2010. While snow reports on the Treasure Coast for that year remain unverified, the temperatures were historically significant. An Arctic cold front caused a stretch of record-breaking lows, with the Treasure Coast experiencing six nights below freezing. The coldest temperature recorded during that period was 25 degrees on January 12.
That winter was persistent; from January through March of 2010, Vero Beach and Melbourne saw a record-setting average temperature of just 58 degrees.
Current Conditions
For this weekend, residents of Vero Beach and the surrounding Indian River County area should prepare for the cold, even if snowflakes aren’t on the horizon. With temperatures dipping into the 20s, it is vital to protect sensitive tropical plants and bring pets indoors. While the Panhandle saw historic snow earlier in January 2025, the Treasure Coast is currently set to experience only the chill, leaving the snow as a memory of winters past.
