ORLANDO, Fla. – While it’s cold outdoors now, you haven’t seen anything yet.
We’re tracking a solid dose of reinforcing frigid air that’s working its way down out of Canada right now and will arrive by the final day of January.
Some of the forecasted air temperatures and feels like temps are absolutely outlandish to your native Floridian, myself included! But where does it stack up in terms of our history? Is this a rare event coming our way? Will we have the chance to set some records?
Here’s a look at those historical winter extremes ranked 1-5 for your viewing pleasure.
The COLDEST day ever recorded here in downtown Orlando came in at 18 degrees. This took place during the “Great Freeze” of 1894.
Just imagine that; seeing your thermometer, your car’s dash temperature gauge or your Alexa or smartphone reading a temperature of 18 degrees. That’s not including wind chill or what it genuinely feels like to you and me either!
Our runner up took place right AFTER the Great Freeze, in the same general time period. February 1895 when Central Florida saw a temperature of 19 degrees.
We tied that record nearly 100 years later, on Jan. 21, 1985, when Orlando saw a recorded temp once more of 19 degrees.
The Valentine’s Day freeze of 1899 (I’m noticing the 1800s were a bit brutal to us Floridians of past) ranked fourth coldest in history with a temperature of 20 degrees.
Finally, to round out the top 5, Dec. 13, 1962; Jan. 20, 1977; Jan. 14, 1981; Dec. 26, 1983; and Jan. 22, 1985, are all lumped together having observed a temperature of 20 degrees.
It’s safe to say we won’t be climbing the ranks of coldest day ever in Florida, but we’ll be getting close to the top 5. Very close!
We’re on track to shatter the record currently held on Feb. 1 here in town. Right now, computer models suggest we could see the lowest overnight temps sink as far south as 24-26 degrees. The reigning undisputed champ for Feb. 1 through Central Florida’s history is 28 degrees.
We could certainly do it again come Feb. 2, as well, with the historical low for any Feb. 2 in recorded history sitting currently at 32 degrees.
A friendly but firm reminder, while we won’t break Florida history this weekend, let alone break into the top 5, it will be COLD! This is a cold spell you’ll want to prepare for, inside and outside of your homes. Talk with your family, friends, coworkers, neighbors and check in on the elderly.