Arctic cold front to bring season's coldest temperatures to Florida over Christmas weekend
An arctic cold front blasting much of the U.S. with dangerously low temperatures is moving closer to Florida.
The front hit the central Plains Wednesday and forecasters warned residents temperatures could dip by 20 or more degrees within just a few hours.
More than 50 million Americans were under a wind chill warning Wednesday as the brutal cold and dangerous wind chills threatened the northern Plains en route to the East Coast by Friday.
Dangerously cold Artic air (from the North Pole!) arrives tomorrow & hangs thru the holiday weekend. North & central FL should plan for AM temps in the teens/20s along with wind chills in the single digits/teens. Take care of you & your furry friends and limit your outdoor time. pic.twitter.com/a5jz41rJOS
— Florida Storms (@FloridaStorms) December 22, 2022
The front is forecast to arrive in Florida Friday. The Panhandle and North Florida could see the coldest temperatures, with lows falling below freezing through the holiday weekend. Freezing temperatures could dip as low as Central Florida, include Tampa and Orlando.
Saturday morning, wind chills could make Florida temperatures feel like 10 degrees in Tallahassee to 33 in Naples.
Will the cold front affect holiday travel?
As more than 112 million people prepared to travel at least 50 miles for the holidays, according to AAA, the storm – expected to rapidly intensify into what's known as a bomb cyclone this week – could create dangerous air and road travel, forecasters predicted.
What is a bomb cyclone?Essentially, a bomb cyclone is a winter hurricane
Travel problemsOver 1,200 US flights canceled as winter storm hits the nation with snow, high winds
The National Weather Service warned of whiteout conditions on roads in the central and eastern U.S. where blizzards occur.
"Traveling in these conditions will be extremely dangerous, to at times impossible," the National Weather Service said. "You risk becoming stranded and more vulnerable to the bitterly cold weather."
More than 1,200 U.S. flights were canceled and another 676 were delayed Thursday as of 6:30 a.m. ET, according to the flight-tracking website FlightAware.
Pensacola weather radar, Christmas forecast
Watches and warnings in effect
The National Weather Service, Mobile issued a hard freeze warning from 11 p.m. Friday to 9 a.m. Sunday for portions of Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. Sub-freezing temperatures as low as the upper teens to low 20s expected each morning through Sunday morning. Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
When to expect coldest temperaturesEscambia, Santa Rosa to enter hard freeze watch Thursday as temps dip below 20 degrees
A wind chill advisory is in effect from 6 a.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday. Wind chills could drop as low as 5 above zero across Northwest Florida.
A wind advisory is also in effect from 9 p.m. Thursday to 6 p.m. Friday. Northwest winds of 15 to 25 mph with frequent gusts up to 40 mph expected. Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
Christmas Eve: Mostly clear, with a low around 21. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Christmas day: Sunny, with a high near 42. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tallahassee weather radar, Christmas forecast
Watches and warnings in effect
The National Weather Service Tallahassee issued a hard freeze watch across portions of the Big Bend and Panhandle from 6 p.m. Friday to 11 a.m. Christmas day. Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. Temperatures will struggle to reach freezing Saturday afternoon. Prolonged near-freezing or sub-freezing temperatures could cause additional stress on unprotected outdoor pipes, people, and pets.
A wind chill advisory is in effect from 5 p.m. Friday to 1 p.m. Saturday. Wind chill values of 7 to 15 degrees expected across the Florida Big Bend and the eastern Florida Panhandle. The combination of cold temperatures and breezy winds will result in potentially dangerous wind chills, which could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken.
Bitter blastDeep freeze is on the way for north Florida, but don't expect snow in Tallahassee
Christmas Eve: Mostly clear, with a low around 22.
Christmas day: Sunny, with a high near 43.
Jacksonville weather radar, Christmas forecast
Watches and warnings in effect
The National Weather Service Jacksonville issued a hard freeze watch from midnight to 10 a.m. Saturday for northeast and north central Florida. Sub-freezing temperatures in the upper teens to mid 20s are possible from late Friday night through Saturday morning. Frost and hard freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. Dangerously cold wind chill values will accompany these subfreezing temperatures on Friday night and Saturday morning, and wind chill advisories will likely be required for the entire area.
A wind chill advisory is in effect from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. Saturday. Wind chills as low as 9 above zero are expected. The cold wind chills could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken.
Christmas Eve: Partly cloudy, with a low around 24.
Christmas day: Sunny, with a high near 46.
Daytona Beach weather radar, Christmas forecast
Watches and warnings in effect
The National Weather Service Melbourne issued a freeze watch for portions of Volusia and Brevard counties from 2 to 9 a.m. Saturday. Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 30 are possible. Freezing temperatures and wind chills in the 20s and lower 30s will occur across much of east central Florida Saturday and Sunday mornings, with the coldest readings across Lake and Volusia counties. Afternoon temperatures will not get out of the upper 40s and 50s this weekend. Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
Temps in the 20s?!Santa will be shivering in his sleigh this weekend
Christmas Eve: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Christmas day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Melbourne weather radar, Christmas forecast
Watches and warnings in effect
The National Weather Service Melbourne issued a freeze watch for portions of Volusia and Brevard counties from 2 to 9 a.m. Saturday. Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 30 are possible. Freezing temperatures and wind chills in the 20s and lower 30s will occur across much of east central Florida Saturday and Sunday mornings, with the coldest readings across Lake and Volusia counties. Afternoon temperatures will not get out of the upper 40s and 50s this weekend. Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
Cold outsideBrevard, it'll be cold outside as Christmas chill descends on Space Coast
Christmas Eve: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Christmas day: Partly sunny, with a high near 53. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Port St. Lucie weather radar, Christmas forecast
Watches and warnings in effect
The National Weather Service Melbourne issued a hazardous weather outlook, warning residents a significant cold front is expected to arrive in the area Friday night, with well below normal temperatures continuing into early next week. Freezing temperatures and wind chills in the 20s and lower 30s will occur across much of east central Florida Saturday and Sunday mornings. Afternoon temperatures will not get out of the upper 40s and 50s this weekend. Residents and visitors need to prepare to protect themselves and their pets and property from the cold temps and wind chills.
Martin County officials plan to open a cold weather shelter Friday https://t.co/CHS2WvCMgp
— TCPalm (@TCPalm) December 21, 2022
Holiday coldWhite Christmas on Treasure Coast? Keep dreaming
Christmas Eve: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. North northwest wind around 10 mph.
Christmas day: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. North northwest wind around 10 mph.
West Palm Beach weather radar, Christmas forecast
Watches and warnings in effect
The National Weather Service Miami issued a hazardous weather outlook. The chances of thunderstorms will increase later this afternoon into this evening. Some of the thunderstorms could be strong to severe especially north of Alligator Alley. The strongest thunderstorms could contain gusty winds, heavy downpours, and an isolated tornado over Southwest Florida tonight. The strongest thunderstorms later this afternoon into this evening could contain wind gusts to 60 mph. The strongest thunderstorms could produce an isolated waterspout in the Gulf waters as well as Lake Okeechobee this evening.
Polar airWest Palm weather: Arctic bulldozer to bring polar air into Sunshine State for Christmas
Christmas Eve: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Breezy, with a northwest wind 16 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Christmas day: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. Breezy, with a northwest wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Naples weather radar, Christmas forecast
Watches and warnings in effect
The National Weather Service Miami issued a hazardous weather outlook. The chances of thunderstorms will increase later this afternoon into this evening. Some of the thunderstorms could be strong to severe especially north of Alligator Alley. The strongest thunderstorms could contain gusty winds, heavy downpours, and an isolated tornado over Southwest Florida tonight. The strongest thunderstorms later this afternoon into this evening could contain wind gusts to 60 mph. The strongest thunderstorms could produce an isolated waterspout in the Gulf waters as well as Lake Okeechobee this evening.
Strong cold frontStrong cold front to drop temps in the 30s to Southwest Florida for Christmas
Christmas Eve: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. North wind around 11 mph.
Christmas day: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52. Breezy, with a north wind 14 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Fort Myers weather radar, Christmas forecast
Watches and warnings in effect
The National Weather Service Tampa Bay has issued no watches or warnings but did warn residents the expected cold front will bring very cold temperatures "by local standards" to the area over the holiday weekend.
SWFL to feel much lower tempsStrong cold front to drop temps in the 30s to Southwest Florida for Christmas
Christmas Eve: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. North wind around 9 mph.
Christmas day: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. North wind around 10 mph.
Sarasota weather radar, Christmas forecast
Watches and warnings in effect
The National Weather Service Tampa Bay has issued no watches or warnings but did warn residents the expected cold front will bring very cold temperatures "by local standards" to the area over the holiday weekend.
Coldest in 20 yearsColdest Christmas in 20 years forecast for Sarasota and Manatee counties
Christmas Eve: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. North northeast wind around 10 mph.
Christmas day: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. North wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida faces arctic cold front, freezing temperatures for Christmas
