Could This Polar Vortex Be Damaging Your Roof?

How rare is snow in Florida?

Snow in Florida, especially in the Panhandle, is very rare. The last big snowfall there was in 1989, which means this new snowfall is something that doesn’t happen often—maybe once in a generation. This strange weather is caused by the polar vortex, which is a large area of cold air and low pressure that usually stays around the Arctic. Sometimes, the polar vortex moves farther south, bringing freezing temperatures to places that don’t usually get that cold, like Florida. Weather reports say that parts of the Panhandle are getting a lot of snow, with some areas seeing up to 6 inches. This is very different from Florida’s usual warm weather.

wHere’s how it happens:

When temperatures drop quickly, roofing materials like shingles, tiles, and even metal can expand and shrink too fast. This sudden change can put a lot of stress on your roof and cause problems such as:

• Cracks in Shingles or Tiles: Cold weather can make roofing materials brittle, which means they can crack or break more easily.
• Warped or Loose Materials: When materials shrink quickly, they can become loose or warped, which might lead to leaks in your home.
• Worse Existing Problems: Small cracks or damage that were already there can get bigger in the cold, making leaks or expensive repairs more likely.

Since Florida roofs aren’t built for freezing temperatures, they can get damaged more easily during rare cold weather like this. The last thing you want is for a small roofing problem to turn into a big, costly repair.