ORLANDO, Fla. – Temperatures are dropping quick across Central Florida as a strong arctic airmass blasts across the Sunshine State. Behind the passage of this front, winds are also picking up through the day, with gusts out of the north between 20-25 mph.
Expect Thursday’s temperatures to cool off quickly into the 50s and 60s by sunrise, followed by a gradual warm up into the upper 60s to near 70 later in the afternoon.
At the coast, be aware of a strong longshore current developing today.
These currents can pull swimmers into deeper water, increasing the risk of getting caught in a rip current. Always swim where lifeguards can see you!
After a cold Thursday afternoon, the stretch of chilly nights begins!
Overnight lows will dip into the mid-to-upper 40s for most areas, with coastal spots staying in the low 50s. For neighborhoods north and west of I-4, there will be about a 20-30% chance that temps could drop into the upper 30s.
WEEKEND:
Looking ahead to the weekend, expect dry and cooler-than-normal weather to stick around. Friday will remain breezy with winds out of the northwest between 10-15 mph, gusting up to 25 mph along the coast.
Despite plenty of sunshine, temperatures will struggle to hit the mid-60s on Friday and Saturday followed by a gradual warming trend into the 70s by Sunday.
Saturday morning will be the coldest, with wind chills in the upper 30s for much of east Central Florida. Some areas, especially northern Lake and Volusia counties, could briefly dip below 40 degrees.
With some areas dipping into the 30s, models are showing a chance for patchy frost for northern neighborhoods, including Marion County, northern Lake and Sumter counties, and inland Flagler and Volusia counties.
NEXT WEEK:
Expect dry weather to continue, though moisture will be slow to return until later in the week. Daytime highs will climb into the upper 70s and low 80s, and morning lows will be in the mid to upper 40s north of I-4, warming into the 50s and low 60s by Tuesday and Wednesday.
Forecasts differ a bit as we get closer to Thanksgiving but right now, it looks like temperatures will be near or slightly above normal near 80 degrees, with mostly dry weather.
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