Hot chocolate and churros, anyone? Miami and the rest of South Florida are in for some frigid temperatures this week, so you better reach for your puffer jacket if you haven’t already! Following a dip in temperatures to start off the new year, another blast of arctic air is arriving through most of the week.
According to the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network (FPREN), South Florida is about to experience the coldest temperatures in nearly two years, all mornings of Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
“The cold air will dominate the region, and temperatures will drop to the upper 40s across many locations, including some metro areas,” the network states.
If you’re wondering what’s causing this drop, it’s due to a polar vortex bringing colder-than-average temperatures to parts of the East Coast. While other parts of the country experience bitter cold and snow, Northern Florida will see freezing temperatures and the rest of the state gets frigid weather. There might even be a chance of snow in Walt Disney World!
What is a polar vortex?
According to the National Weather Service, a polar vortex is a large area of cold, low pressure air that surrounds both of the Earth’s poles. During winter in the northern hemisphere, the air can expand southward, sending a freezing blast all over the U.S.
How cold will it get in South Florida?
Temperatures in South Florida will begin dropping into the mid-50s on Tuesday, with highs in the 60s. Miami is also set to have its coldest weather on Wednesday morning, with temperatures expected to drop into the upper 40s. These numbers will match the ones we had in early winter 2023, per FPREN.
The arctic front will roll into the following days, Thursday and Friday, with overnight temperatures descending into the mid-50s and 60s. As for when we’ll get a break from the chilly weather, temperatures will warm up again to 80 degrees in time for the weekend.
In the meantime, just watch out for falling iguanas! When temperatures drop to the 40s, these critters tend to become immobilized and lose their grip on tree branches. If you come across a frozen iguana on the ground, it’s best to leave it alone!