WEEKEND WEATHER: Snowbirds begin their return to North Central Florida

OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Not only is it “spooky season” and hurricane season, but it’s also a season unique to our southern states: snowbird season.

Every winter, millions of retirees and seniors, known as “snowbirds,” migrate to warmer destinations, escaping harsh northern winters. These seasonal travelers, often seen sipping tropical drinks on our sandy Florida shores, trade snow and ice for sunshine and mild temperatures.

|WEEKEND TOP PICKS: Hallo-weekend in North Central Florida

The term “snowbird” originated in the 1920s, initially describing seasonal workers who moved south during the winter months. By 1979, it was used to refer to tourists who sought refuge from the cold. Today, Florida is one of the top destinations for these winter residents, attracting snowbirds from across the U.S. and Canada.

According to Vacations Made Easy, approximately 10% of snowbirds are Canadians who travel south to the United States each winter.

While many snowbirds return north in the spring, a significant percentage choose to make their winter getaways permanent, relocating to Florida full-time to enjoy our year-round sunshine and an active lifestyle.

Ocala Forecast

Here’s your day-by-day outlook from the National Weather Service.

Friday: Patchy fog before 9 am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday night: Patchy fog after 5 a.m. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 61. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Saturday: Patchy fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.

Sunday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.

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