Orlando, Florida – A strong outbreak of cold air is expected to bring a high risk of freezing temperatures to east central Florida this weekend, with a damaging hard freeze increasingly likely late Sunday night into Monday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Melbourne, confidence is growing that temperatures will fall to 32 degrees or lower across much of the region, with a significant chance of lows reaching 27 degrees or colder in several inland locations. The coldest conditions are expected early Sunday morning and again early Monday as well-below-normal temperatures settle into the peninsula.
Forecast probabilities show greater than a 90 percent chance of freezing temperatures for communities including Orlando, Leesburg, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, and Okeechobee. The chance of temperatures dropping to 27 degrees or lower ranges from 50 to 80 percent, highest across inland areas away from the immediate coast.
Major transportation corridors such as Interstate 4, Interstate 95, U.S. Route 1, and Florida’s Turnpike run through areas expected to see the coldest readings. While icy road conditions are not expected, the cold poses risks to exposed pipes, sensitive vegetation, pets, and individuals without adequate heating.
The National Weather Service urges residents to take protective actions ahead of the freeze. Sensitive plants should be covered or brought indoors, pets should be kept inside, and faucets should be allowed to drip to help prevent frozen pipes. Residents are also encouraged to check on elderly neighbors, friends, and family members who may be more vulnerable to cold conditions.
This cold event follows an already chilly stretch across Florida, but forecasters note this outbreak could be among the coldest so far this winter for east central Florida. Temperatures are expected to gradually moderate after Monday morning.
Residents should continue monitoring official forecasts as freeze watches or warnings may be issued closer to the event.
