ORLANDO, Fla. – Central Florida residents woke up to freezing temperatures and frost advisories Wednesday morning as an early-season Arctic chill continued to grip the region. Meteorologists say this marks the coldest air of the season so far and the earliest cold outbreak of this magnitude since 1993.
The WESH 2 First Warning Weather Team has described the event as “Impact Weather,” noting that the dramatic shift in temperature could disrupt travel, outdoor activities, and daily routines across several counties.
Record Cold Across the Region
Tuesday brought record-breaking lows across much of Central Florida, with multiple cities shattering long-standing November temperature records. By early Wednesday morning, temperatures once again dipped near or below freezing, particularly in inland areas north of Orlando.
According to meteorologists, Marion County was under a Freeze Warning, where overnight lows fell into the upper 20s and low 30s, allowing frost and light freeze conditions to develop. Surrounding counties experienced frost advisories, with temperatures hovering just above freezing.
“This is the earliest we’ve seen such widespread cold since 1993,” said Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi of WESH 2. “Many cities have broken or tied records that have stood for decades.”
Impact Weather: What It Means
WESH 2’s First Warning Weather Team, including meteorologists Eric Burris, Marquise Meda, and Cam Tran, classified the event as Impact Weather — a term used when conditions may cause disruptions to travel, outdoor work, or agriculture, even when severe weather isn’t occurring.
The rapid temperature drop follows several days of sunny, mild weather, leaving many residents unprepared for the sudden chill.
“While this isn’t a dangerous freeze for most, it’s a major change for Central Florida and can still affect crops, pets, and pipes,” Burris explained.
Safety Tips and Local Impact
Residents are advised to take precautions to protect people, pets, plants, and pipes as freezing temperatures linger through Wednesday morning. Experts recommend:
- Bringing pets indoors overnight.
- Covering or moving sensitive plants to warmer areas.
- Wrapping exposed pipes to prevent bursting.
- Using caution with space heaters, keeping them away from flammable materials.
Some areas may also see patchy frost on roads and vehicles, creating minor visibility issues during early commutes.
Warming Trend Ahead
The cold snap will be short-lived, forecasters said. Temperatures are expected to gradually rebound by Thursday, with highs returning to the 70s by the weekend.
“By Friday, we’ll be back to more typical Central Florida conditions,” said Mainolfi. “This freeze event will pass quickly, but it’s an important reminder that winter is approaching.”
Residents are encouraged to stay tuned to WESH 2 News for ongoing weather updates and to download the First Warning Weather app for real-time alerts and radar tracking.
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