East Central Florida – Multiple cold and marine weather hazards are impacting East Central Florida today, including Freeze Warnings, an Extreme Cold Warning, and hazardous boating conditions along the Atlantic coast.
According to the National Weather Service in Melbourne, a Freeze Warning remains in effect for all East Central Florida counties through 10 a.m. this morning, with low temperatures ranging from 23 to 32 degrees. An Extreme Cold Warning is also in effect for portions of the region, where dangerously low wind chills between 15 and 23 degrees are expected during the coldest morning hours.
Forecasters report that temperatures will gradually warm later today, with afternoon highs climbing into the mid to upper 50s. Despite the daytime warmup, freezing temperatures are expected to return again tonight, with another Freeze Warning issued from 11 p.m. tonight through 10 a.m. Monday for many inland counties.
Residents are urged to protect the “Four Ps” — people, pets, plants, and pipes. Sensitive vegetation should be covered, pets brought indoors, and exposed plumbing protected or allowed to drip to prevent freezing.
Along the coast, poor to hazardous boating conditions continue today and tonight. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect from Flagler Beach to Jupiter Inlet, with northwest winds of 15 to 20 knots and seas building to 5 to 10 feet, highest in the Gulf Stream. Conditions will remain hazardous for small vessels even after advisories expire.
A high rip current risk is also present at area beaches, creating dangerous surf conditions for swimmers.
Motorists traveling early along I-95, State Road A1A, and inland routes near Orlando, Sanford, and Kissimmee may encounter frost on vehicles and cold-sensitive infrastructure during morning hours.
Residents should continue monitoring official forecasts and alerts as cold conditions persist into early Monday.
