Florida experienced the coldest December on record in 2010 as numerous arctic cold fronts moved across the state.  The record cold was in response to the Arctic Oscillation, which is an atmospheric circulation pattern that favors cold weather in Florida when it is in the negative phase.
There were three large freeze events where cold Canadian high pressure built into the area behind a strong cold front. The first of these occurred on December 7th-8th, with the Nature Coast experiencing 9 to 11 hours of sub-freezing temperatures and up to 8 hours of temperatures below 27 degrees. The most damaging of these systems occurred on December 14th-15th, with much of the area experiencing hard freeze conditions for 7 to 12 hours across the Nature Coast and 3 to 5 hours elsewhere. Sub-freezing conditions were recorded for more than 12 hours as far south as Sarasota County. The final freeze event occurred over a two night period on December 27th-28th, and December 28th-29th. Both nights saw sub-freezing temperatures for 10 to 14 hours across the northern half of the area and 4 to 8 hours across the southern half. In addition, hard freeze conditions were in place across the Nature Coast for up to 11 hours.
Vegetables were the crops hardest hit by the freezes, with snap beans, cabbage, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, bell peppers, and squash suffering the greatest loss. Aquaculture also suffered great losses in Tropical Fish, with up to 70 percent of the industry suffering losses. These losses occurred mostly during the December 15th freeze, which will be the date focused on below.
Estimates of crop damage are listed below by county for the month of December. Preliminary commodity losses were computed using data from the Florida Department of Agriculture. This data included the measurable loss of shipments from average for each commodity.
Levy County recorded sub-freezing temperatures for around 11 hours across much of the county. The Usher Tower cooperative station near Chiefland and the FAWN station in Bronson both experienced the coldest temperature across the county of 21 degrees. This was a new record low for Usher Tower. Levy County has 44,870 acres of harvested farmland, which translates into approximately $3.29 million in damages to crops.
Citrus County recorded sub-freezing temperatures for around 11 hours across much of the county. The cooperative station near Inverness experienced the coldest temperature across the county of 20 degrees, which was a new record low for the station. Citrus County has 6,146 acres of harvested farmland, which is approximately $0.45 million in crop damages.
Hernando County recorded sub-freezing temperatures for around 12 hours across much of the county. The FAWN station in Brooksville experienced the coldest temperature across the county of 17 degrees. Hernando County has 8,212 acres of harvested farmland, which is approximately $0.60 million in crop damages.
Sumter County recorded sub-freezing temperatures for around 11 hours across much of the county. The Bushnell cooperative station experienced the coldest temperature across the county of 21 degrees, which was a new record low for the station. Sumter County has 16,222 acres of harvested farmland, which is approximately $1.19 million in crop damages.
Pasco County recorded sub-freezing temperatures for around 10 hours across much of the county. The St. Leo cooperative station in Dade City experienced the coldest temperature across the county of 30 degrees, which tied the record low temperature. Pasco County has 20,673 acres of harvested farmland, which is approximately $1.52 million in crop damages.
Hillsborough County recorded sub-freezing temperatures for 8 to 12 hours across much of the county. The FAWN station near Dover experienced the coldest temperature across the county of 26 degrees. Hillsborough County has 44,661 acres of harvested farmland, which is approximately $3.28 million in crop damages.
Polk County recorded sub-freezing temperatures for 5 to 8 hours across much of the county. The cooperative station near Lake Wales experienced the coldest temperature across the county of 24 degrees, which was a new record low for the station. Polk County has 115,721 acres of harvested farmland, which is approximately $8.49 million in crop damages.
Manatee County recorded sub-freezing temperatures for 2 to 5 hours across much of the county, with up to 10 hours inland. The Fort Green cooperative station near Duette experienced the coldest temperature across the county of 23 degrees, which was a new record low for the station. Manatee County has 58,920 acres of harvested farmland, which is approximately $4.32 million in crop damages.
Sarasota County recorded sub-freezing temperatures for 2 to 5 hours across much of the county, with up to 12 hours inland. The FAWN station near North Port experienced the coldest temperature across the county of 26 degrees. Sarasota County has 5,969 acres of harvested farmland, which is approximately $0.44 million in crop damages.
Hardee County recorded sub-freezing temperatures for 10 to 12 hours across much of the county. The cooperative station near Wauchula experienced the coldest temperature across the county of 24 degrees. Hardee County has 53,378 acres of harvested farmland, which is approximately $3.92 million in crop damages.
Desoto County recorded sub-freezing temperatures for around 10 hours across much of the county. The FAWN station near Arcadia experienced the coldest temperature across the county of 26 degrees. Desoto County has 63,585 acres of harvested farmland, which is approximately $4.67 million in crop damages.
Highlands County recorded sub-freezing temperatures for 3 to 6 hours across much of the county. The Archbold cooperative station experienced the coldest temperature across the county of 20 degrees, which was a new record low for the station. Highlands County has 83,516 acres of harvested farmland, which is approximately $6.13 million in crop damages.
Charlotte County recorded sub-freezing temperatures for around 4 hours across mainly eastern portions of the county. The ASOS station at the Charlotte County Airport experienced the coldest temperature across the county of 29 degrees, which was a new record low for the station. Charlotte County has 21,663 acres of harvested farmland, which is approximately $1.59 million in crop damages.
Lee County recorded sub-freezing temperatures for 1 to 2 hours across mainly eastern portions of the county. It has 18,308 acres of harvested farmland, which is approximately $1.34 million in crop damages.

Frost/Freeze in HERNANDO, FLORIDA
From 14-DEC-10 21:00:00 to 15-DEC-10 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.60M
Reported by: Mesonet

Hernando County recorded sub-freezing temperatures for around 12 hours across much of the county. The FAWN station in Brooksville experienced the coldest temperature across the county of 17 degrees. The county has 8,212 acres of harvested farmland, which is approximately $0.60 million in crop damages.

Frost/Freeze in HILLSBOROUGH, FLORIDA
From 14-DEC-10 21:00:00 to 15-DEC-10 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 3.28M
Reported by: Mesonet

Hillsborough County recorded sub-freezing temperatures for 8 to 12 hours across much of the county. The FAWN station near Dover experienced the coldest temperature across the county of 26 degrees. The county has 44,661 acres of harvested farmland, which is approximately $3.28 million in crop damages.

Frost/Freeze in SARASOTA, FLORIDA
From 14-DEC-10 21:00:00 to 15-DEC-10 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.44M
Reported by: Mesonet

Sarasota County recorded sub-freezing temperatures for 2 to 5 hours across much of the county, with up to 12 hours inland. The FAWN station near North Port experienced the coldest temperature across the county of 26 degrees. The county has 5,969 acres of harvested farmland, which is approximately $0.44 million in crop damages.

Frost/Freeze in HARDEE, FLORIDA
From 14-DEC-10 21:00:00 to 15-DEC-10 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 3.92M
Reported by: Mesonet

Hardee County recorded sub-freezing temperatures for 10 to 12 hours across much of the county. The cooperative station near Wauchula experienced the coldest temperature across the county of 24 degrees. The county has 53,378 acres of harvested farmland, which is approximately $3.92 million in crop damages.

Frost/Freeze in LEVY, FLORIDA
From 14-DEC-10 22:00:00 to 15-DEC-10 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 3.29M
Reported by: Mesonet

Levy County recorded sub-freezing temperatures for around 11 hours across much of the county. The Usher Tower cooperative station near Chiefland and the FAWN station in Bronson both experienced the coldest temperature across the county of 21 degrees. This was a new record low for Usher Tower. The county has 44,870 acres of harvested farmland, which translates into approximately $3.29 million in damages to crops.

Frost/Freeze in CITRUS, FLORIDA
From 14-DEC-10 22:00:00 to 15-DEC-10 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.45M
Reported by: Mesonet

Citrus County recorded sub-freezing temperatures for around 11 hours across much of the county. The cooperative station near Inverness experienced the coldest temperature across the county of 20 degrees, which was a new record low for the station. The county has 6,146 acres of harvested farmland, which is approximately $0.45 million in crop damages.

Frost/Freeze in SUMTER, FLORIDA
From 14-DEC-10 22:00:00 to 15-DEC-10 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 1.19M
Reported by: Mesonet

Sumter County recorded sub-freezing temperatures for around 11 hours across much of the county. The Bushnell cooperative station experienced the coldest temperature across the county of 21 degrees, which was a new record low for the station. The county has 16,222 acres of harvested farmland, which is approximately $1.19 million in crop damages.

Frost/Freeze in PASCO, FLORIDA
From 14-DEC-10 23:00:00 to 15-DEC-10 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 1.52M
Reported by: Mesonet

Pasco County recorded sub-freezing temperatures for around 10 hours across much of the county. The St. Leo cooperative station in Dade City experienced the coldest temperature across the county of 30 degrees, which tied the record low temperature. The county has 20,673 acres of harvested farmland, which is approximately $1.52 million in crop damages.

Frost/Freeze in MANATEE, FLORIDA
From 14-DEC-10 23:00:00 to 15-DEC-10 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 4.32M
Reported by: Mesonet

Manatee County recorded sub-freezing temperatures for 2 to 5 hours across much of the county, with up to 10 hours inland. The Fort Green cooperative station near Duette experienced the coldest temperature across the county of 23 degrees, which was a new record low for the station. The county has 58,920 acres of harvested farmland, which is approximately $4.32 million in crop damages.

Frost/Freeze in DE SOTO, FLORIDA
From 14-DEC-10 23:00:00 to 15-DEC-10 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 4.67M
Reported by: Mesonet

Desoto County recorded sub-freezing temperatures for around 10 hours across much of the county. The FAWN station near Arcadia experienced the coldest temperature across the county of 26 degrees. The county has 63,585 acres of harvested farmland, which is approximately $4.67 million in crop damages.

Frost/Freeze in POLK, FLORIDA
From 15-DEC-10 01:00:00 to 15-DEC-10 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 8.49M
Reported by: Mesonet

Polk County recorded sub-freezing temperatures for 5 to 8 hours across much of the county. The cooperative station near Lake Wales experienced the coldest temperature across the county of 24 degrees, which was a new record low for the station. The county has 115,721 acres of harvested farmland, which is approximately $8.49 million in crop damages.

Frost/Freeze in HIGHLANDS, FLORIDA
From 15-DEC-10 03:00:00 to 15-DEC-10 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 6.13M
Reported by: Mesonet

Highlands County recorded sub-freezing temperatures for 3 to 6 hours across much of the county. The Archbold cooperative station experienced the coldest temperature across the county of 20 degrees, which was a new record low for the station. The county has 83,516 acres of harvested farmland, which is approximately $6.13 million in crop damages.

Frost/Freeze in CHARLOTTE, FLORIDA
From 15-DEC-10 05:00:00 to 15-DEC-10 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 1.59M
Reported by: Mesonet

Charlotte County recorded sub-freezing temperatures for around 4 hours across mainly eastern portions of the county. The ASOS station at the Charlotte County Airport experienced the coldest temperature across the county of 29 degrees, which was a new record low for the station. The county has 21,663 acres of harvested farmland, which is approximately $1.59 million in crop damages.

Frost/Freeze in LEE, FLORIDA
From 15-DEC-10 07:00:00 to 15-DEC-10 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 1.34M
Reported by: Mesonet

Lee County recorded sub-freezing temperatures for 1 to 2 hours across mainly eastern portions of the county. It has 18,308 acres of harvested farmland, which is approximately $1.34 million in crop damages.