After a week of warm (dare we say hot) temperatures in Florida, residents were treated to cooler temperatures Monday morning, with even colder weather expected on Tuesday morning, February 24th.
How cold is it?
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The National Weather Service has issued freeze warnings and freeze watches as well as cold weather warnings for South Florida.
The warnings come after a weekend when U.S. highs reached more than 90 degrees. The temperature in Hollywood reached 92 degrees on Sunday, February 22, the highest in the United States, according to preliminary data from the National Weather Service.
How cold will it be on Monday night/Tuesday morning, February 24th? Here’s what you need to know so you’re prepared.
Florida weather warning issued
A cold front moved through Florida over the weekend, promising even colder air. Temperatures dropped into the 30s in parts of eastern and central Florida, with the coldest temperatures expected Monday night/Tuesday morning.
Early Tuesday, February 24, the National Weather Service issued a cold weather advisory, ice warning, or freeze watch for nearly the entire state. Lowest temperatures may drop into the 20s in some areas.
Even South Florida is not immune.
“Temperatures will plummet, and there remains a high level of confidence that temperatures will drop below freezing tonight into early Tuesday morning across inland Southwest Florida,” the National Weather Service in Miami said.
“Much of the rest of South Florida will see low temperatures in the 30s.”
Is Florida going “iguana drop” tonight?
It’s possible. Whenever temperatures drop to 40 degrees or lower, iguanas become shocked and temporarily paralyzed. If they are in a tree, it could cause them to lose their grip and fall.
But the temperatures won’t last as long as they did in early February. That cold snap prompted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to issue an executive order allowing residents to discard cold-stunned iguanas.
Thousands of invasive reptiles were collected.
A cold weather advisory is in effect until February 23 at 8 a.m. Central Time.
Residents can expect “very cold winds of 15 to 20 degrees in inland areas and 20 to 25 degrees in coastal areas.”
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Today/Tonight: High 51; Low 32
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The cold weather warning is in effect until 9 a.m. ET Monday. A freeze watch is in effect from late Monday night into Tuesday morning.
“For the cold weather advisory, extremely cold winds are expected with temperatures as low as 18 degrees. For the freeze watch, severe cold is expected with temperatures as low as 24 degrees.”
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Today/Tonight: High 51; Low 28
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The freeze warning is in effect from midnight to 9 a.m. Tuesday. A cold weather warning is in effect from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. Tuesday.
“For the freeze warning, below freezing temperatures are expected to be as low as 26 degrees. For the cold weather warning, extremely cold wind temperatures are expected to be as low as 20 degrees.”
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Today/Tonight: High 52; Low 31
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The National Weather Service has issued multiple weather warnings for eastern and central Florida, including:
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Cold Weather Warning: 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. Tuesday
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Red Flag Warning: Monday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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Rip Current Risk: Dangerous rip currents and rough surf are expected Monday night
“For a freeze warning Monday night into early Tuesday morning, temperatures are expected to be as low as 31 degrees. For a cold weather warning Monday night into early Tuesday morning, extremely cold wind temperatures are expected to be as low as 24 degrees.”
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Today/Tonight: High 55; Low 33
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The National Weather Service has issued multiple weather warnings for eastern and central Florida, including:
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Cold Weather Warning: 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. Tuesday
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Red Flag Warning: Monday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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Rip Current Risk: Dangerous rip currents and rough surf are expected Monday night
“Cold weather reports Monday night into early Tuesday morning show extremely cold wind temperatures as low as 24 degrees are expected.”
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Today/Tonight: High 58; Low 35
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The National Weather Service has issued multiple weather warnings for eastern and central Florida, including:
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Cold Weather Warning: 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. Tuesday
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Red Flag Warning: Monday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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Rip Current Risk: Dangerous rip currents and rough surf are expected Monday night
“Cold weather reports Monday night into early Tuesday morning show extremely cold wind temperatures as low as 24 degrees are expected.”
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Today/Tonight: High 59; Low 33
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A cold weather advisory and red flag warning have been issued for West Palm Beach.
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Cold Weather Warning: 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. Tuesday
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Red Flag Warning: Monday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
“Very cold winds with lows in the 20s and 30s” are expected.
A red flag warning means “severe fire weather conditions are either occurring or will occur soon. The combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures could result in extreme fire behavior.”
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Today/Tonight: High 62; Low 39
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The red flag warning is in effect Monday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
A red flag warning means “severe fire weather conditions are either occurring or will occur soon. The combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures could result in extreme fire behavior.”
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Today/Tonight: High 62; Low 42
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The National Weather Service has issued several warnings for Naples:
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Cold Weather Warning: 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. Tuesday
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Red Flag Warning: Monday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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High rip current risk: As of Tuesday morning
“Very cold winds with lows in the 20s and 30s” are expected.
A red flag warning means “severe fire weather conditions are either occurring or will occur soon. The combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures could result in extreme fire behavior.”
Dangerous rip currents are expected along the Collier County coast through Tuesday morning.
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Today/Tonight: High 60; Low 40
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The National Weather Service has issued several warnings for Fort Myers:
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Cold Weather Warning: 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. Tuesday
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Ice warning: 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. Tuesday
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Red Flag Warning: Monday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
“For the freeze warning, below freezing temperatures are expected to be as low as 31 degrees. For the cold weather warning, extremely cold wind temperatures are expected to be as low as 27 degrees.
A red flag warning means “severe fire weather conditions are either occurring or will occur soon. The combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures could result in extreme fire behavior.”
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Today/Tonight: High 60; Low 36
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The National Weather Service has issued several warnings for Sarasota:
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Cold Weather Warning: 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. Tuesday
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Fire Weather Watch: Monday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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Current risk: Tuesday before 10am
“Very cold winds, with temperatures as low as 29 degrees expected.”
A fire weather watch means “severe fire weather conditions are expected.”
Dangerous rip currents are expected Tuesday morning.
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Today/Tonight: High 54; Low 41
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The National Weather Service has issued several warnings for Tampa:
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Cold Weather Warning: 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. Tuesday
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Fire Weather Watch: Monday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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Current risk: Tuesday before 10am
“Very cold winds, with temperatures as low as 29 degrees expected.”
A fire weather watch means “severe fire weather conditions are expected.”
Dangerous rip currents are expected Tuesday morning.
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Today/Tonight: High 55; Low 36
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The National Weather Service has issued several warnings for Orlando:
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Cold Weather Warning: 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. Tuesday
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Ice warning: 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. Tuesday
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Red Flag Warning: Monday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
“A freeze warning is in effect Monday night into Tuesday morning, with temperatures as low as 31 degrees expected. A cold weather warning is in effect Monday night into Tuesday morning, with extremely cold wind temperatures expected as low as 24 degrees.”
Very low humidity and gusty winds will create high fire danger Monday.
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Today/Tonight: High 55; Low 34
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Cheryl McCloud is a reporter on the USA TODAY Network Florida Service News Connect team. Get all of Florida’s best content straight to your inbox every weekday by signing up for the free Florida Today newsletter at https://heraldtribune.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Freeze warnings, cold weather warnings issued for Florida. View time