Orlando, Florida – A rare and dangerous cold weather outbreak is impacting Central and East Florida this weekend, prompting multiple weather warnings and advisories across the region, including freeze, extreme cold, wind, and marine alerts.
According to the National Weather Service in Melbourne, a Freeze Warning and Extreme Cold Warning are in effect from 7 p.m. tonight through 1 p.m. Sunday for Volusia, Lake, Seminole, Orange, Osceola, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Okeechobee counties. Overnight low temperatures are expected to fall between 22 and 27 degrees, with wind chill values dropping as low as 9 to 15 degrees, conditions that are unusually cold for Florida and potentially life-threatening.
Strong west-northwest winds are compounding the cold. A Wind Advisory is in effect from 3 p.m. Saturday through 7 a.m. Sunday, with sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph and peak gusts reaching 40 to 50 mph, particularly along and east of major corridors including Interstate 4, Interstate 95, and U.S. Highway 192. These winds may make driving difficult for high-profile vehicles and could dislodge unsecured outdoor items.
Marine conditions are especially dangerous. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for hazardous boating conditions from Flagler Beach to Jupiter Inlet, with seas building to 7 to 11 feet nearshore and 12 to 17 feet in the Gulf Stream. Winds offshore are forecast to reach 30 to 40 knots, with gale-force gusts near 45 knots. Officials urge mariners to remain off the water and secure vessels.
Residents are advised to protect the “four Ps”: people, pets, plants, and pipes. Sensitive vegetation should be covered, pets brought indoors, pipes insulated or allowed to drip, and vulnerable individuals checked on frequently.
Conditions are expected to gradually improve late Sunday afternoon as winds weaken and temperatures begin to recover, but officials stress continued caution until all warnings expire.
