The cold front that has arrived in the United States hasn’t stayed only in the north. Florida is also expecting very low temperatures. Just a few days ago, some areas of the Sunshine State even experienced snowfall that quickly turned to rain and didn’t spread further. “An Arctic air mass has arrived, bringing with it the coldest air of the season so far,” reported the National Weather Service in Mobile. As for recommendations, authorities advise protecting pipes, pets, and plants from the intense cold in Central Florida.
NWS recorded lows of up to 28 degrees Fahrenheit (-2°C) in Orlando
It’s important to remember that the Arctic front is keeping extreme cold warnings in place across much of the country following a deadly winter storm. And in Florida, the National Weather Service (NWS) recorded lows of up to 28 degrees Fahrenheit (-2°C) in Orlando early Monday morning, an unusual level for one of the country’s top tourist destinations. The cold front from the Arctic is moving south with force, and temperatures are expected to not only defy what is normally expected for this time of year but also threaten to break historical records dating back more than a decade. Freeze warnings and cold weather advisories have been issued for most of the state, including Frostproof, Central Florida.
Residents are reminded to follow official recommendations to avoid any last-minute surprises
The fact is that, one way or another, cold or freezing temperatures are expected across most of the Sunshine State during the last week of January. According to reports from the FOX 35 Storm Team and the National Weather Service (NWS) in Melbourne, the chance of actual snowfall is quite low due to the lack of humidity during the coldest period. However, the possibility of sleet in some areas of the state cannot be ruled out. For this reason, residents are reminded to follow official recommendations to avoid any last-minute surprises.
Temperatures in Orlando would make this week the coldest since 2018
The current situation and data from the NWS Weather Prediction Center indicate that this episode could become “the longest period of cold weather in decades,” following a winter storm that brought snow, ice, power outages, and fatalities to large parts of the country over the weekend. The NWS has also confirmed that the real concern is the freezing temperatures in Orlando. In Florida, freeze warnings are in effect for 39 counties, and freeze watches are in effect for 27 counties. Specifically, temperatures in Orlando could drop as low as 27°F (-3°C), which would make this week the coldest since 2018, and possibly the most severe since the historic winter of 2010.
Freeze Warnings have been issued for Lake and Volusia counties and some inland areas of Central Florida
In the areas of the country hardest hit by this seemingly endless phenomenon, governors and state agencies have emphasized that even brief exposure to the outdoors, lasting only a few minutes, can cause hypothermia or frostbite, especially in the early morning hours. Low temperatures should not be underestimated, nor should snow or, even less so, ice. Falls can be a serious problem, as can driving in bad weather without proper protection, such as tire chains.
It is important to remember that Freeze Warnings have been issued for Lake and Volusia counties and some inland areas of Central Florida, where wind chills will make it feel like the low 20s. The winter storm now moving in is helping to pull cold air further south into Florida. The front is currently over northern Florida and will gradually dissipate and weaken as it moves away from the north.