ORLANDO, Fla. – If you’re waking up in Central Florida this weekend, get ready – the coldest air in more than a decade is expected to sweep across the area.
An extreme cold warning goes into effect Saturday evening and stretches through Sunday afternoon, bringing wind chills that haven’t been seen in sixteen years.
Temperatures are forecast to plunge well below seasonal averages, with actual lows in the 20s and 30s. Forecast wind chills could dip to 11 degrees in Ocala, 10 degrees in the Villages, 16 degrees in Orlando, and 11 degrees in Palm Coast. Even spots along Brevard County are expected to experience wind chills in the teens.
Saturday and Sunday have both been declared weather alert days for Central Florida.
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Freeze warnings, wind advisories, and hours of dangerous cold
It’s not just the cold air — there’s a freeze warning in effect for all of Central Florida, with a hard freeze likely for just about everyone across the region. Lows are forecast to fall to 21 degrees in Ocala and Palm Coast, and 25 degrees in Orlando.
The duration of the below-freezing temperatures is a major concern. Forecasts suggest that much of Marion and Flagler counties may see 10 to 15 hours below freezing, with 10 to 12+ hours for Sumter, Volusia, Seminole, and Lake counties. Orange and Polk counties are expected to have 8 to 10+ hours, while Brevard and Osceola could have 6 to 8+ hours of hard freeze conditions.
A wind advisory is also in effect, with northwest winds reaching 25 to 30 mph and gusts as high as 40 to 50 mph, especially near the coastline. Wind gusts are expected to be strongest Saturday afternoon and evening, likely tapering off a bit overnight but remaining gusty into Sunday.
Preparation tips: Protect people, pets, pipes, and plants
When temperatures drop this low, it’s more important than ever to look out for people and pets.
If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for them; bring animals indoors and make sure sensitive plants are covered.
Cover outside pipes or keep a steady drip running to prevent freezing, and consider running pool pumps overnight for added protection.
Even if you’re not used to these types of preparations in Central Florida, it’s a good idea to take action now. The extended hours below freezing can put everything from garden plants to plumbing at risk, so a little advance planning goes a long way.
[FLORIDA FREEZE GUIDE: Everything to know about rare cold, tips and more]
How long will the cold last?
While these conditions are out of the ordinary, they aren’t expected to stick around for long. The seven-day forecast shows that after a frigid weekend — highs in the upper 40s to mid 50s and lows in the 20s — temperatures begin to rise again early next week. By Tuesday, Orlando is forecast to reach 64 degrees, with 70s on the way by Thursday.
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