Wed Dec 04 11:30:00 UTC 2024: ## Unseasonable Cold Sweeps Across Florida, Triggering Freeze Warnings

**TALLAHASSEE, FL –** A significant cold snap, originating from Siberia, has plunged Florida into unusually frigid temperatures, prompting freeze warnings and frost advisories across much of the state. The deep freeze, extending as far south as Spring Hill and Deltona, has led to temperatures plummeting to near 27 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued warnings across several regions, urging residents to take precautions against the dangerous cold. Even South Florida is experiencing unusually low temperatures, with highs only reaching the mid-60s to low 70s. Overnight lows are expected to be in the upper 30s and low 40s in some inland areas, and into the 40s and 50s in coastal regions. Wind chill factors will make it feel even colder, with some areas experiencing wind chills in the 30s and 40s.

The NWS warns of potential damage to plants left outdoors, with the possibility of hard freezes in some inland areas. A hard freeze warning is issued when temperatures are expected to be below 28 degrees for at least three hours.

Meteorologists attribute the unusual cold to a cross-polar flow pulling frigid air from Siberia across the Arctic, Canada, and down into the southern US. Another cold front is expected to arrive in North Florida on Thursday, potentially bringing scattered showers and storms before temperatures gradually return to seasonal norms by early next week.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management is advising residents to monitor NWS alerts via social media and take necessary steps to protect themselves and their property from the cold. The agency recommends following the NWS on X (formerly Twitter) for updates from various locations across the state.

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