Local

30s take over Central Florida; wind will make it feel colder

ORLANDO, Fla. — 9:00 p.m. Wednesday

Temperatures are starting to freeze across the northern potion of Central Florida. 
Make sure to bring pets inside. Also remember that kids and the elderly are more sensitive to the cold temperatures.


5:30 p.m. Wednesday

Bring pets and sensitive vegetable indoors. Temperatures in Seminole, Orange, Osceola, Volusia, Brevard and Polk counties will be subfreezing but the wind will make the temperatures feel as if they were between 24 and 29 degrees. There is a freeze warning in effect for the counties above until 9 a.m. Thursday.

VIDEO: Freeze warning in effect tonight for Central Florida

Prolonged subfreezing temps in the forecast. Bring those sensitive plants indoors. With the wind, the temperatures will feel even colder. Read more here: http://at.wftv.com/2AiOndG

Posted by Irene Sans on Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Across Marion, Flagler, and northern Lake counties, temperatures will be around the mid twenties but considering the winds, they will feel as if they were in the teens. There is a hard freeze warning in effect for these counties until 11 a.m. Thursday. Please take care of the pipes in your home.

Segmento en español por nuestra meteoróloga digital Irene Sans

2:30 p.m. Wednesday 

Central Florida is under a freeze warning until 9 a.m. Thursday as temperatures dip to the 20s and 30s.

1:15 p.m. Wednesday

Temperatures throughout Central Florida are expected to drop to the 20s and 30s Wednesday evening, Channel 9 certified meteorologist Brian Shields said.

Snowflakes could mix with rain in Marion County, Shields said.

Snow was seen falling Wednesday morning near the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee. Click here to watch the video.

Sunnier conditions are expected to return Thursday, but the weather will remain cold -- so cold that the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida said it will open its doors through Friday to anyone who seeks overnight shelter.

9:45 a.m. Wednesday

It was a cold and rainy start to Wednesday throughout Central Florida, and although showers will end by early afternoon, temperatures will continue to drop as the day wears on.

Channel 9 certified meteorologist Brian Shields said temperatures throughout the region are forecast to drop to the 20s and 30s by Wednesday evening.

"Most of us will (be) waking up to freezing temperatures tomorrow morning," Shields said. "Freeze watches and warnings are up across our area."

Breezes should prevent frost from being a major issue, but they will make conditions feel colder than they are, Shields said.

A wind chill advisory has been issued for all of Central Florida until 10 a.m. Thursday.

Snow was reported Wednesday morning in Tallahassee.

"A wintry mix is just to the north of us today," Shields said. "Please use caution if you are traveling north. There have been many official reports of freezing rain."

Residents should use caution while operating space heaters and should bring pets indoors for the next several days, Shields said.

Email news@wftv.com or tweet using #StormAlert9 to share your photos and video of Wednesday's weather.

Watch below: How to stay warm during the Florida chill: