As 2026 begins with a period of warmer than normal temperatures, another wave of cold air is set to move into Central Florida this week, and this time it will be the coldest of the winter so far, according to forecasters.
Low temperatures in downtown Orlando are expected to drop to 34 degrees on Friday morning, with daytime highs only reaching around 50 degrees, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
But Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Megan Tollefsen said wind gusts were expected to reach 25 mph early Friday, with temperatures in the 20s.
“It’s not unusual, but it will be a little cooler than what we see this time of year,” she said.
Temperatures will drop again Saturday morning, but not much. Low temperatures early Saturday are expected to drop into the 30s. But Tollefson said residents should prepare for frost.
“When it gets that cold, we urge people to bring their pets and come see their neighbors,” she said.
Central Florida government and nonprofit officials were working on plans Tuesday to expand shelter availability and capacity ahead of the cold front.
Plans are also being developed for regional Lynx buses to provide free transportation to the nearest shelter. Officials said warming centers will also open in Orange and Osceola counties, with more details to be announced later this week.
This round of cold weather will be cooler than the weather that ushered in the New Year.
On December 31, the temperature in Orlando dropped to 34 degrees. On New Year’s Day, the temperature dropped to 36 degrees.
Normal temperatures in early January are lows in the 40s and highs in the 70s.
But this week’s cold weather is not expected to set temperature records. Orlando’s record low temperature on Friday was 25 degrees set in 1927. The record low temperature for Saturday was 28 degrees set in 1959.
Good news for those who don’t like the cold air: It won’t last long. A typical Central Florida winter usually involves a burst of cold air that lasts a few days, followed by warmer days.
The same is expected this week, as high temperatures are expected to reach the 60s in the Orlando area on Saturday.
But please bring an umbrella with you on Wednesday. Cold winds will bring a round of showers to much of the region in the afternoon and evening, according to forecasters. Wednesday’s high temperature is expected to reach 68 degrees.
Temperatures are expected to drop to 53 degrees early Thursday morning and reach 60 degrees during the day.