Melbourne, Florida — Another cold morning is underway across East Central Florida, with temperatures starting out in the 30s across most inland locations, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne. Sunshine is expected to help temperatures rebound into the lower to mid-60s this afternoon, providing a brief break from the chill.
That reprieve will be short-lived.
Forecasters warn that another Arctic outbreak is expected to arrive late this weekend, bringing widespread freezes and the potential for a damaging hard freeze across much of the region Sunday night into Monday morning. Temperatures are forecast to drop well below normal, with overnight lows falling into the mid to upper 20s across interior locations, and near freezing even along parts of the coast.
The cold air surge will follow a cold front pushing south across the peninsula, allowing well below-normal temperatures to settle in. Cities including Orlando, Sanford, Leesburg, Kissimmee, and Okeechobee could see lows in the 24° to 28° range, while coastal areas such as Melbourne, Daytona Beach, and Vero Beach may also approach freezing.
Major transportation corridors including Interstate 4, Interstate 95, Florida’s Turnpike, and US Highway 1 could be impacted by early-morning cold conditions, particularly for motorists traveling before sunrise Monday. While wintry precipitation is not expected, cold-sensitive infrastructure and vehicles may be affected, especially where temperatures fall below 28 degrees for several hours.
Officials urge residents to protect sensitive plants, bring pets indoors, and check on elderly neighbors and family members. Homeowners should also prepare by insulating exposed pipes and allowing faucets to drip in areas prone to freezing.
The National Weather Service emphasizes that confidence is increasing in the severity of this cold event and encourages residents to monitor forecast updates closely as details continue to be refined.
A gradual return to more seasonable temperatures is expected later next week, but until then, Florida’s most significant cold spell of the season remains a serious concern.
