Large portions of central and east Florida are under a Cold Weather Advisory as unusually cold overnight conditions develop late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Melbourne, wind chills are expected to fall as low as 26 to 27 degrees across a wide area, prompting a Cold Weather Advisory from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. EST Wednesday. Counties affected include Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, Okeechobee, Volusia, and Lake, impacting both inland and coastal communities.
In addition to the advisory, a Freeze Watch remains in effect for inland Volusia and Lake counties, where air temperatures could drop to around 31 degrees late Tuesday night through Wednesday morning. These conditions may result in frost or localized freezing, particularly in sheltered inland locations.
The National Weather Service warns that wind chills this cold can be hazardous for people without adequate warmth, especially children, older adults, and those without reliable shelter. Cold-sensitive vegetation and crops may also be at risk, and unprotected outdoor plumbing could be damaged in areas that reach freezing.
Residents are urged to dress in layers, including hats and gloves, bring pets indoors, and take precautions to protect tender plants. Officials also remind residents to use portable heaters safely and never operate grills or generators indoors.
Temperatures are expected to gradually rise after sunrise Wednesday, but residents should continue to monitor forecasts for any changes or upgrades to freeze warnings.
