Melbourne, Florida — A Freeze Warning and Cold Weather Advisory are in effect across much of east central Florida early Friday morning as Arctic air moves into the region.
According to the National Weather Service in Melbourne, a Freeze Warning is in effect from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. Friday for Lake, Volusia, Seminole, Orange, Osceola, Okeechobee, and inland portions of Brevard, Indian River, and St. Lucie counties. Low temperatures between 27 and 32 degrees are expected in these areas, cold enough to damage sensitive vegetation and exposed pipes.
A Cold Weather Advisory covers most remaining inland areas of east central Florida, excluding coastal Martin County. In advisory areas, overnight lows of 27 to 35 degrees are forecast, with wind chill values ranging from 23 to 32 degrees.
For the Melbourne area, gusty northwest winds of 15 to 20 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph, will persist behind a strong cold front, increasing the cold stress overnight. While coastal locations will remain slightly warmer, inland neighborhoods will experience the coldest conditions.
The National Weather Service urges residents to follow the “4 P’s”:
- People: Limit outdoor exposure overnight
- Pets: Bring animals indoors
- Plants: Protect sensitive vegetation
- Pipes: Let faucets drip to prevent freezing
Temperatures will rebound gradually later Friday after sunrise, but freeze impacts will occur during the early morning hours, especially away from the immediate coast.
This alert is especially relevant for early-morning commuters, agricultural interests, and homeowners with exposed plumbing.
