The coldest weather of the season thus far, just in time for Christmas, will have many reaching for their warm, long underwear — if you don’t have any, ask Santa Claus to make an early delivery.
Temperatures near freezing — some parts of Osceola County could dip into the 20s according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne — could produce freeze watches or warnings for Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Osceola County officials said there has been discussions among local partners about emergency “cold night” protocols, which kick in when temperatures and wind chills become hazardous for anyone sleeping outdoors. The City of Kissimmee recently approved added funding for the program in order to provide some hotel rooms to the homeless for nights like expected this weekend.
A cold front is sweeping across the Gulf of Mexico through Thursday, bringing rain before the cold weather. It’s all a part of Winter Storm Elliott, which will deliver instead of phoning home this Christmas, and bringing an Arctic blast of cold weather that will send overnight temperatures below zero as far south as possibly St. Louis for Christmas Eve and Day.
Here in Osceola County, the pre-game show will be rain, with a 50 percent chance of it Thursday with a high near 70.
Then on Friday, the clouds make way for sun — but it won’t be warm. Temperatures will actually fall through the day and into Saturday morning, with an expected low of 32 degrees for the Kissimmee and St. Cloud area, with low-lying pockets possibly falling below 30.
Saturday’s high is only expected to reach 48, and then the low for Christmas Eve night is expected to be 34.
Combined with winds out of the northwest between 10-15 mph, wind chills should dip into the 20s. It’s weather that requires preparation; dress in layers when out and about, and dig those warm hats and gloves out of the closet.
Take care of pets and bring them indoors, along with outdoor plants that can be moved; cover those that can’t.
“It is interesting to note that the statistical guidance has trended several degrees colder since yesterday, with 20s and lower 30s forecast across a larger portion of the county warning area both mornings,” the NWS Melbourne’s forecast discussion for the weekend said. “Thus it is possible that these temps may need to be adjusted downward over the next couple days.”
The highs on Christmas Day and Monday are expected to be 50 and 57 before a slow, gradual warmup is anticipated next week.
