Florida Temperatures to Dip Sharply This Weekend as Cold Front Brings Chilly Start

FLORIDA — Floridians will feel a sharp temperature drop this weekend as a strong cold front sweeps through the state late Friday, bringing a noticeably cooler and drier air mass by early Saturday.

After a muggy and mild workweek, temperatures will fall 15 to 25 degrees across much of Florida, according to The Weather Authority. Forecasters say Saturday morning will start crisp and chilly statewide, marking a clear shift from recent warm and humid conditions.

Morning Temperatures to Drop into the 30s and 40s

The coldest air will settle over North and Central Florida, where early-morning lows are expected to dip into the mid-30s in parts of the Florida Panhandle.

Projected low temperatures include:

Crestview and Tallahassee: Mid-30s
Gainesville and Jacksonville: Low 40s
Tampa: Around 54°F
Orlando: Near 52°F
Fort Myers: Around 59°F
Palm Beach: Near 66°F
Miami: Around 69°F
Key West: Near 70°F

Meteorologists warn that rural areas of the Panhandle and inland North Florida could see patchy frost early Saturday morning.

“It’ll be a refreshing start to the weekend after several muggy days,” forecasters said. “North Florida residents may need jackets for the first time in weeks.”

Cold Front Brings Brief Taste of Winter

The cold front will move across the peninsula late Friday night, replacing humid air with cool, dry northerly winds. Clear skies behind the front will allow temperatures to drop quickly overnight.

Despite the chilly start, sunshine will help temperatures rebound by Saturday afternoon. Highs are expected to reach the mid-60s to low-70s across most of the state.

Another cool morning is possible Sunday before temperatures gradually return to seasonal averages by midweek.

Tips to Prepare for the Chill

Officials recommend residents take a few precautions ahead of the sudden cool-down:

Bring pets indoors overnight
Use space heaters safely
Protect cold-sensitive plants, especially north of Orlando
Dress in layers if heading out early Saturday

While the cooler weather will be short-lived, forecasters say it serves as a reminder that Florida winters can still bring brief bursts of cold — particularly north of the I-4 corridor.

“It’s nothing extreme,” one meteorologist said, “but waking up to temperatures in the 30s and 40s will feel cold for Floridians used to 80-degree days.”

Looking Ahead

Warmer air is expected to return by Monday, with highs nearing 80°F in South Florida and reaching the mid-70s across Central Florida. Until then, residents can enjoy a brief break from humidity as winter-like conditions settle in for the weekend.

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