Freezing Temperatures Bearing Down on Florida Once Again

The sizzling stretch of weather across Florida is coming to a screeching halt as a cold front pushes across the region. Unfortunately, the dry conditions and wind will keep the wildfire threat in place despite the noticeably cooler temperatures. Here is a closer look at what is happening in the coming days in the Sunshine State.

Cold Front Delivers Dramatic Shift in Weather Across Florida

A potent cold front is bringing the string of 80-degree temperatures to an end in Florida. Near-record heat was the story for the state last week, pairing with a lack of rain and windy conditions to keep local officials on alert for wildfire dangers. While the dry weather pattern will remain a constant presence in this corner of the country, the threat of freezing temperatures brings a whole different set of risks.

It was a great weekend to be in Florida if you like hot weather. Cities such as Orlando and Jacksonville saw the mercury soar to near-record readings on Saturday. That all changed as the weekend progressed and the cold front inched closer to the peninsula. A few isolated rain showers and thunderstorms came in behind the cold front in the central and southern portions of the state on Sunday. However, this brief influx of moisture did little to ease the building dry conditions.

Gusty winds from the northwest whipped up behind the front, bringing temperatures down in the process. Any lingering wetness on the ground was also swiftly dried out once the winds picked up speed.

When and Where it Will Be the Coldest to Start the Week

Forecasters are predicting that the coldest temperatures will settle into Florida late Monday and into Tuesday. The mercury is forecast to dive well below the freezing mark in a zone from the Florida Panhandle and just north of Orlando. This is a good time to cover sensitive outdoor plants or bring them inside.

Some parts of interior central Florida could experience a light frost early Tuesday. Unlike the hard freeze from earlier in the season, these temperatures are not expected to significantly impact the state's citrus crop. Real feel readings will bottom out in the 20s in the coldest areas.