Are you ready for more freezing temperatures in Florida?
How about just plain cold? Iguana-dropping cold?
It’s coming and will probably be even more of a shock after experiencing temps well above normal this week that could threaten both record highs and record warm lows, according to the National Weather Service Tallahassee.
The temperature swing could be around 50 degrees for some locations, according to the National Weather Service Mobile.
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Florida was hit by several days of freezing or sub-freezing temperatures in early February, which extended as far south as Miami.
When temperatures drop into the 40s, it stuns iguanas, which are an invasive reptile that has made itself at home in South Florida. If up a tree, iguanas often lose their grip and fall.
Here’s what we can expect.
‘Winter returns with a vengeance’ to Florida
“We finish off this week with very warm temperatures, followed by a steep dive into sub-freezing temperatures by Tuesday morning (Feb. 24) behind a strong surface cold front passing through the region Saturday night,” according to the National Weather Service Mobile.
➤ Strong cold front headed for Florida could take out more iguanas
The front moves into Northeast Florida on Sunday, Feb. 22, where lows could fall to freezing over inland areas, according to the National Weather Service Tallahassee.
“A very significant cool-down is expected early next week behind this latest front as winter returns with a vengeance!” said the National Weather Service Melbourne.
The front will continue to move southward Sunday.
How cold will it get in Florida next week?
Take a peek at what forecasters are predicting for early next week, with the coldest temperatures mostly expected Monday, Feb. 23, or Tuesday, Feb. 24, as the cold front moves through the state.
“The coldest conditions are expected to settle in Monday night, with the potential for a hard freeze in areas along the Interstate 10 corridor, perhaps reaching as far south as the Ocala metro area,” according to AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham via email Feb. 20.
“Temperatures in the upper 30s to lower 40s can extend well into the Florida Peninsula Monday night, down to places like Fort Myers and Fort Lauderdale. Even in Miami, we expect a low temperature around 45 degrees Monday night.
“Temperatures will remain chilly on Tuesday and cold again Tuesday night, however, they should be on the order of 3-5 degrees higher in most areas across the state compared to Monday night.”
How cold will it get in Pensacola, Florida?
Pensacola, western Panhandle: Low temperatures start in the middle-60s on Feb. 20 before plunging to 25-30 degree range Tuesday morning, Feb. 24.
How cold will it get in Tallahassee, Florida?
Tallahassee, central Panhandle: Once the front moves through late Saturday into Sunday, temperatures take a dive. Daytime highs drop into the mid-50s to 60s, with overnight lows generally in the 30s. Overnight lows Tuesday morning will need to be monitored over the coming days as the current forecast has temps in the mid- to upper 20s.
How cold will it get in Jacksonville, Florida?
Jacksonville, Northeast Florida: High temperatures Monday and Tuesday will stay in the 50s, with Monday night and Tuesday night seeing freezing temperatures over inland locations. Wind chills will dip into the 20s early Tuesday morning.
How cold will it get in Central, East Florida?
Central, East Florida: The strong cold front is forecast to bring dangerous wind chills Monday night into Tuesday morning. Tuesday night/Wednesday morning is expected to be the coldest period, with lows in the low to mid-30s across most of the interior and mid- to upper 40s along the coast. Freeze watches or warnings may be considered for some counties Monday and Tuesday nights.
How cold will it get in West Palm Beach, Naples, Florida?
West Palm Beach, Naples, South Florida: Low temperatures on Sunday night into Monday morning will generally drop into the 40s across Southwest Florida and into the 50s elsewhere. Monday night into Tuesday morning still looks to be when the coldest temperatures will occur with mid to upper 30s possible across interior portions of Southwest Florida, while temperatures will drop into the 40s across the rest of the region.
How cold will it get in Fort Myers, Sarasota, Florida?
Fort Myers, Sarasota, Southwest Florida: Behind the cold, temperatures early next week are forecast to drop into the 30s/40s. Tuesday and Wednesday morning are expected to be the coolest mornings, and a cold weather advisory will likely be needed for many, the National Weather Service Tampa Bay said. High temperatures will top out in the 50s and 60s Monday and Tuesday.
How long will Florida stay cold this time, before another cold front hits?
Temperatures are expected to gradually warm throughout the state starting Wednesday, Feb. 25, according to the National Weather Service.
AccuWeather agreed.
“Temperatures will slowly climb Wednesday and Thursday, but they will still remain below historical averages across the state,” Buckingham said.
“Temperatures next week are expected to be at their highest levels on Friday prior to the arrival of another cold front. At this time, the cold front late next week does not look to be as strong as the front that will pass through on Sunday.”
Could iguanas fall from trees again in Florida?
It is possible. Temperatures are forecast to dip into the 40s across South and Southwest Florida, which is low enough to temporarily paralyze the reptiles.
➤ Florida dog dies after eating dead iguana killed during cold weather
They aren’t dead, though, and as soon as temperatures warm up again, they’ll “wake up” and be on their way.
Will cold fronts end in Florida as we move into March?
“There is the risk for an additional front or two in early March, but with the higher sun angle and more hours of daylight, the chances for additional freezes will become minimal,” Buckingham said.
“Overall during the month of March, temperatures are expected to be above average across the state, generally on the order of two to three degrees above average in most areas.”
Weather alerts issued in Florida
Radar shows location of storms moving through Florida
Weekend rain not expected to help extreme drought in Florida
Any rain associated with the approaching cold front isn’t expected to make up for the extreme deficit in rainfall.
A total of 98.8% of Florida is seeing conditions range from abnormally dry to extreme drought.
➤ Much of Florida suffering lack of rain. What about fire, water shortages?
Thirty-five of Florida’s 67 counties have issued burn bans because of the risk for wildfires.
As of 9 a.m. Feb. 20, there were 65 wildfires burning 3,456 acres across the state.
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Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://heraldtribune.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: ‘Winter returning with vengeance’ to Florida. How cold will it get?
Reporting by Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
