ORLANDO, Fla. – Much cooler weather is setting up to wrap up the workweek in Central Florida, all thanks to a strong front that is clearing the Sunshine State.
A breezy northwest wind will be with us through the day on Thursday, blowing at 10-15 mph with gusts up to 20 mph, especially along the coast. If you’re heading to the beach, be cautious of a moderate risk of rip currents. Remember, always swim near a lifeguard!
Thursday night, temperatures will dip to the coolest air in weeks in the 30s and 40s. Through the overnight, the winds will stay elevated making it will feel even colder. Wind chills could dip into the 30s across much of east Central Florida, with the coldest spots in Marion, Sumter, Lake and interior Volusia counties potentially feeling like the upper 20s. A Cold Weather Advisory could be issued for some neighborhoods, stay tuned.
A freeze warning is in effect late Thursday night and into Friday morning for central and western Marion County due to temperatures close to the freezing mark of 32 degrees.
Looking ahead to Friday through Sunday, after a cold start on Friday, temperatures will try to climb into the upper 50s to upper 60s by afternoon. High pressure will shift winds to the northeast, bringing more clouds and possibly some light coastal showers or sprinkles from Cape Canaveral southward. Friday night will be a bit warmer, with lows in the 40s and low 50s.
On Saturday and Sunday, a mix of clouds and sun will keep temperatures in the upper 60s to low 70s. A weak weather system might bring a few showers (20-30%), especially along the coast into the weekend.
As we move into next week, expect temperatures to return to near or slightly above normal by Tuesday and Wednesday. While there’s a chance for some rain, especially on Monday, most of the week will be dry with isolated showers.
The warmest day looks to be Wednesday, with highs nearing 80 degrees. Another cold front might bring a brief cooldown and a slight chance of rain late next week.
Stay tuned for more updates, and enjoy the weather!