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Record Chill in Florida Triggers Falling Iguanas as Arctic Blast Sweeps East

Officials urge people to leave cold‑stunned invasive lizards alone as temperatures are expected to rebound by midweek.

Overview

  • Daily record or near‑record lows were logged across Florida on Nov. 11, including 28 degrees in Jacksonville and a freezing morning in Tallahassee, as the Arctic air mass expanded across the eastern U.S.
  • Photos and video from residents and local stations confirmed green iguanas dropping from trees after becoming cold‑stunned in temperatures in the 40s, with some sightings from South and Central Florida.
  • Wildlife authorities said the reptiles are temporarily paralyzed, not dead, and advised residents not to touch or bring them indoors, noting professional removal is the recommended option; local advisories and limited cold‑weather shelters were also activated.
  • The same system generated lake‑effect and heavy snow in the Great Lakes with dangerous travel in some areas, and forecasters highlighted elevated fire weather concerns in parts of the Plains.
  • Meteorologists said the cold snap will be short‑lived, with South Florida lows climbing back to the 60s and highs returning to the 70s and 80s later this week.