A freeze warning is in effect for Central Florida as residents brace for a chilly Friday morning. Temperatures are expected to remain in the 30s for most of the region, slightly warmer than the 20s experienced in some areas. However, winter conditions will continue throughout the weekend, with further cooling anticipated as the work week begins.
Parts of Central Florida, particularly around the I-75 corridor, will experience significant freeze conditions. In Sumter County, temperatures will dip below freezing for approximately 4 to 7 hours, while Marion County may face even longer periods of below-freezing temperatures, lasting between 6 to 8 hours. As early as midnight, temperatures in Ocala fell to a brisk 26 degrees, while Belleview registered 25 degrees and Fort McCoy dropped to a chilly 23 degrees. In Orlando, temperatures are hovering around 36 degrees, with slightly warmer readings of 35 degrees in Winter Park and 34 in Daytona Beach.
The colder weather can be attributed to a cold front that passed through the region, followed by a northerly wind flow due to high pressure moving into the area. The winds, generally sustained at 5 to 10 miles per hour, contribute to the lower temperatures felt across Central Florida.
Looking ahead, Saturday should see some improvement as winds shift from the north to the south, signaling a gradual rise in temperatures. For Friday, highs are expected to be capped in the upper 50s to lower 60s. A frontal boundary is anticipated to move across the region, bringing a potential for rain showers on Sunday. While snow isn’t expected, rain coverage may reach around 20%.
As the core of winter persists, residents are encouraged to take precautions to protect pets, pipes, and plants against the harsh cold. While temperatures will dip again into the 30s at the start of the workweek, forecasts indicate warmer conditions ahead, bringing some relief to residents by the end of the week.