Fall finally comes to Florida, with lows in mid-50s likely next week
Pull out your scarves and boots for long strolls along Lake Eola, kicking up red and orange leaves. Fall is upon us.
Just kidding — it’s still Florida. But morning sweater weather as you’re going out the door really is coming.
Meteorologists say the first cool front of the season is moving through Central Florida next week. Well, a cool front by Florida’s standards, Fox 35 meteorologist Jayme King pointed out.
The first part of the cool front will move through Orlando on Tuesday and will pull the low temperatures down to the lower to mid-60s in the mornings, said Kevin Rodriguez, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
The coldest days will be Thursday and Friday. A secondary push from the cool front is expected Thursday, bringing the lows to the mid-50s, he said.
It is a relief from the 90degree, sweaty days Orlando endured through the first month of fall.
“We’ll finally get that fall crisp air we’ve been waiting for,” Rodriguez said.
Indeed, the fall weather is coming just a bit later. Fall officially begins in late September and over the years Oct. 15 has been the median start date in Orlando for the season’s cool temperatures, he said.
The national Weather Company had predicted earlier this year near or warmer than average temperatures on the east coast in October and above average temperatures in November. Likewise, much of the country is experiencing a warmer than usual fall, except the Northwest.
In Florida, the winter is also expected to be warmer than usual. The coldest time of the winter will be in January and early February, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac. Even then, though, the state could get some 90-degree weather, King said.
But, he added, forecasts change as cold fronts speed up and slow down.
“It’s all kind of a waiting game,” King said.
This weekend might be the last warm one for a while, but beachgoers should be cautious of hazardous rip currents and 3- to 4-foot surf, said Volusia County beach officials. The surf, along with persistent winds, are expected to bring debris and seaweed to the shore. Vehicular traffic may be affected.
Saturday, Oct. 28, will warm up enough to wear that Halloween costume you planned for during the hot weeks leading up to this week.
Low temperatures will be back in the 60s again, Rodriguez said. But the dry air will reduce the humidity and chances for afternoon showers: Perfect for posing for pictures in pumpkin patches.