Freeze Warnings Blanket Central Florida Including Orlando and Tampa as Rare Winter Chill Grips the Sunshine State Tuesday Morning

FLORIDA — While much of the country is used to winter weather, parts of the Sunshine State are waking up to a rare and biting chill. Freeze warnings are in effect for much of central Florida early Tuesday morning, including the Orlando metro and inland communities surrounding Tampa.

Updated advisory maps show widespread purple shading across central portions of the state, signaling areas under a Freeze Warning. Coastal stretches along parts of the Gulf and Atlantic are instead under a Cold Weather Advisory, but even there, temperatures are expected to dip sharply.

Freeze Warnings Across Interior Counties

The most significant cold is expected away from the immediate coastline. Areas around:

• Orlando
• Inland Tampa Bay communities
• Interior counties between the Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast

are all included in the freeze zone.

A freeze warning typically means temperatures are expected to fall to 32°F or lower, creating conditions that can damage sensitive plants and pose risks to exposed pipes and outdoor pets.

Coastal Areas Under Cold Weather Advisory

Coastal communities, including areas near Sarasota, portions of the Tampa coastline, and parts of the east coast near Melbourne and Fort Pierce, are under a cold weather advisory instead of a full freeze warning.

While temperatures there may remain just above freezing, wind chill values could make it feel even colder, especially during the pre-dawn hours.

A Taste of Winter in the Sunshine State

For Florida residents, these advisories represent a notable shift. The state is better known for mild winters and warm breezes than sub-freezing temperatures. However, when strong cold air masses push deep into the Southeast, even central Florida can experience a brief winter blast.

The advisory timing indicates the coldest readings will likely occur early Tuesday morning, before sunrise, when temperatures typically bottom out.

What Residents Should Do

With freeze warnings in place, officials recommend:

• Bringing sensitive plants indoors or covering them
• Protecting outdoor plumbing
• Ensuring pets have warm shelter
• Using space heaters safely

Even short-lived freezes can cause agricultural and landscape impacts across central Florida.

As the cold air mass moves through, temperatures are expected to rebound later in the week, but for now, much of the region is preparing for an unusually frosty start to the day. For continued national weather coverage and timely forecast updates, stay connected with NapervilleLocal.com.