Cuba Shivers Through First Freeze on Record
In an unprecedented weather event, Cuba has etched its name into meteorological history with the island's first documented freeze. On a crisp Tuesday morning, temperatures plunged to 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius) at the Indio Hatuey weather station in Perico, marking a groundbreaking low for the tropical nation. This rare cold snap, part of a broader arctic outbreak that chilled the southeastern United States, has sent ripples through the Caribbean and Central America, shattering records and prompting discussions on climate variability in the region.
The Historic Freeze in Cuba
Cuba's Institute of Meteorology (INSMET) confirmed the milestone, noting that the previous national record low stood at 33 degrees Fahrenheit, set nearly three decades ago in Bainoa on February 18, 1996. The freeze in Perico wasn't just a fleeting chill; frost was observed blanketing crops around the station, raising concerns for local agriculture. Social media posts from INSMET highlighted the unusual sight, with images showing icy residues on fields that are more accustomed to balmy tropical conditions.
This event underscores the reach of polar air masses, which typically weaken after crossing the U.S. but occasionally surge southward into the western Caribbean. For Cuba, this was the eighth cold front of the season, arriving with fierce 40- to 50-mph wind gusts that exacerbated the chill. In Havana, the capital, these winds drove Gulf waters over the iconic seawall, flooding streets and adding to the wintry chaos on February 1, 2026.
Impacts on Daily Life and Economy
The sudden drop in temperatures caught many residents off guard. Women in Havana were seen shielding their faces from the biting cold while waiting for buses, a scene more reminiscent of mid-latitude winters than the Caribbean's usual warmth. Farmers in Matanzas province, near Perico, reported potential damage to sensitive crops like tobacco and sugarcane, staples of Cuba's economy. While no widespread devastation has been noted yet, experts warn that repeated such events could strain food security in a nation already grappling with economic challenges.
Climate scientists point out that while cold fronts are not entirely novel for Cuba—visiting a few times each winter—this freeze represents an extreme outlier. The polar vortex's influence, combined with clear skies and radiational cooling, allowed temperatures to nosedive overnight. As global patterns shift, such anomalies may become more frequent, challenging the narrative of a perpetually warm island paradise.
Record-Breaking Cold Across the Region
Cuba wasn't alone in feeling the freeze. The same cold outbreak toppled temperature records from the Bahamas to Central America, illustrating the interconnectedness of North American weather systems.
Bahamas and Beyond
In Freeport, Bahamas, Sunday's high temperature peaked at just 51 degrees Fahrenheit—the coldest maximum ever recorded in the archipelago. This is akin to early February norms in Nashville, Tennessee, over 800 miles to the northwest. Weather records expert Maximiliano Herrera verified the data, emphasizing how unusual it is for such southerly latitudes to mirror continental chills.
Further south, Flores, Guatemala, tied its all-time low of 48 degrees Fahrenheit, while a high-elevation station in western El Salvador, Finca Los Andes (around 5,500 feet), set a new February record at 38 degrees. Belize experienced its coldest low since 1968, dipping to 42 degrees. These events highlight the cold front's tenacity, pushing beyond the tropics into areas rarely touched by sub-freezing air.
Additional Cuban Stations Affected
Back in Cuba, four other stations notched new or tied all-time lows: Aguada de Pasajeros at 37 degrees, Jucarito and Santa Cruz del Sur at 44 degrees, and Guantanamo Bay tying at 57 degrees. Six more locations set February benchmarks between 43 and 46 degrees, per INSMET and Herrera's analysis. Notably, the article mentions a potential all-time low set on February 3, 2026, at 0 degrees, though primary records focus on the 32-degree freeze—indicating ongoing monitoring of this event.
Weather Patterns Behind the Cold
This outbreak stems from a robust winter setup in the U.S., where a dipping jet stream funneled arctic air southward. After smashing records in Florida and the Southeast—think single-digit wind chills in Miami—the front didn't dissipate. Instead, it barreled into the Gulf of Mexico, influencing the western Caribbean Sea.
Typically, these fronts bring gusty winds and brief cool spells to Cuba, but this one packed extra punch. Satellite imagery showed a sharp thermal boundary, with cold air pooling over the island overnight. Forecasters at The Weather Company noted similar patterns in past winters, but the intensity here rivals events from the 1990s.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for Cuba's Climate
As Cuba navigates this new record, questions arise about long-term trends. While the island's average temperatures hover around 77 degrees Fahrenheit annually, extremes like this remind us of vulnerability to distant weather phenomena. INSMET urges preparedness, including protective measures for agriculture and infrastructure.
Residents are advised to bundle up as residual chill lingers, with forecasts predicting a slow warmup by mid-week. Yet, this freeze serves as a stark reminder: even in the tropics, winter's grip can surprise. For more on global weather shifts, stay tuned to Everythiiing.com's climate coverage.
In summary, Cuba's first freeze isn't just a cold footnote—it's a historic pivot point, blending awe with adaptation in the face of changing skies.
