Couple Walking on Beach During Cold Front, FL — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Kristi Blokhin
Are you prepared for more frigid Christmas weather? According to AccuWeather analysts, a polar vortex system could bring two or more cold waves to Florida this week.
According to AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok, “two to three more rounds of intense cold are possible from the Midwest to much of the East, spanning Dec. 10 to 19.” “There is a chance for a frost or freeze late next week as far south as central Florida.”
On Monday, December 8, light or sporadic showers are occurring throughout the state, with gusts of up to 30 mph in the southwest. With a potential of frost and freeze in the Northern Panhandle on Tuesday night, temperatures in the Panhandle and North Florida are predicted to drop into the low to mid-50s on Monday. By sunrise Tuesday, temperatures north of Interstate 10 could drop into the mid 20s to low 30s, according to National Weather Service forecasters.
North and west of Interstate 4, Central Florida will experience chilly temperatures on Tuesday, with highs in the mid to upper 60s and lows in the low to mid 40s by Wednesday and Thursday mornings.
The majority of Florida should anticipate a pleasant week with cool but not frigid temperatures that will gradually rise toward the weekend, while much of the rest of the country may experience falling temperatures and snowfall.
But according to the most recent forecast, another cold front is predicted to move through Friday, bringing with it another arctic blast for Saturday and Sunday as well as a remote possibility of a hard freeze in North Florida.
A polar vortex is a sizable region of frigid, low-pressure air surrounding the poles of the Earth. The vortex portion of the air flow is counter-clockwise, which keeps the colder air close to the poles.
However, the National Weather Service reported that the polar vortex frequently expands throughout winter in the northern hemisphere, sending blasts of cold air southward via the jet stream.
Although the term “polar vortex” is relatively new, the event itself is not new.
North Florida temperatures could drop into the 30s overnight, but they will progressively warm up during the week before dropping again on Saturday as a new cold front passes through, according to forecasters.
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Chris began his writing as a hobby while attending Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. Today he and his wife live in the Orlando area with their three children and dog.
