Arctic Blast Brings Coldest Air to North Florida

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A winter storm exiting the Northeast has brought a cold front through the Florida peninsula, resulting in freezing temperatures across much of the state. The Jacksonville area is under a freeze watch that will turn into a warning, with lows expected in the upper 20s and low 30s overnight into Wednesday morning. Central Florida will also see very cold temperatures, with winds making it feel even colder. While Southeast Florida will not see the coldest air, parts of Southwest Florida are expected to dip into the mid-30s overnight.

Why it matters

This arctic blast is bringing the coldest air of the season to much of Florida, posing risks to vegetation, crops, and marine activities. The strong winds and freezing temperatures could lead to dangerous conditions, especially for those spending time outdoors.

The details

The cold front moving through Florida is bringing temperatures well below average for this time of year. In the Jacksonville area, highs will only reach the upper 40s on Tuesday, with lows dropping to around freezing overnight. Central Florida will see temperatures in the upper 20s, with wind chills as low as 21 degrees. While Southeast Florida will not be as severely impacted, parts of Southwest Florida like Naples and Fort Myers will still see overnight lows in the mid-30s.

• The freeze watch in the Jacksonville area will turn into a freeze warning by Tuesday.
• Overnight lows in the upper 20s and low 30s are expected Tuesday night into Wednesday morning across North and Central Florida.
• Strong winds up to 20 mph will make temperatures feel even colder across Central Florida on Tuesday.

What’s next

The cold temperatures are expected to persist through the week, with the possibility of additional freeze warnings or advisories being issued as the cold front continues to move through the state.