Central Florida experienced a hot day, with temperatures soaring to a record 89 degrees in Orlando. This heat, however, is set to make way for a significant and abrupt temperature drop as a cold front approaches. Monday morning is expected to bring lows in the lower 40s, marking a stark contrast to the warmth felt over the weekend.
The warmth was not exclusive to Orlando, with nearby areas like Sanford and Leesburg recording highs of 88 degrees and Daytona Beach coming close to the 90-degree mark. As temperatures remained elevated even after sunset, they held steady around 80 degrees under mostly cloudy skies.
Overnight, clouds are expected to build and bring with them some light rains, with anticipations of rain coverage at around 50%. However, actual accumulation is forecasted to be minimal, potentially reaching between a tenth to half an inch. The initial showers could hit parts of the metro area as early as 8:00 AM, accompanied by breezy conditions with wind gusts reaching between 15 to 20 mph.
Throughout the day, these showers are projected to disperse as clear skies move in, yet the winds are set to pick up significantly, potentially gusting up to 35 mph along I-75. The drop in temperatures could exacerbate fire danger across the region, despite the arrival of much-needed rain.
With the cold front in place, Monday will see a much cooler day, with a shift to the middle 30s overnight and a wind chill that could make it feel like 29 degrees in Orlando and 22 degrees in Ocala. Those hoping for a swift return to the warmer temperatures will need to hang on a bit longer, as mild conditions are anticipated to re-emerge midweek.
Looking ahead, the weather will bring both challenges and relief, with the cold snap providing a reminder that winter is not quite over in Central Florida.