(Dec. 28, 2010) -- For the second time this month, most Floridians awoke to record-setting cold temperatures with the thermometer dropping below freezing in all but the most extreme southern portions of the peninsula.
Seventeen of Florida's larger cities tied or set new record lows during a strong cold front that pushed through the southeast on December 14 and 15. This latest cold snap was about equal in strength with the one that sent Floridians scurrying for shelter two weeks ago.
On December 28, record low temperatures were set in the following cities.
| Site | New Record Low Established on 12/28/10 |
Previous Record Low Temperature (Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Key West | 49 | 51 (1977) |
| Fort Lauderdale | 36 | 38 (1956) |
| West Palm Beach | 34 | 38 (1928) |
| Daytona Beach | 24 | 26 (1935) |
| Orlando | 26 | 31 (1977) |
| Gainesville | 21 | 24 (1925) |
| Jacksonville | 21 | 24 (1925) |
| Tallahassee | 18 | 20 (1925) |
| Fort Myers | 34 | 36 (1977) |
National Weather Service Southern Region Climate Program Manager Victor Murphy notes, "The good news is a slow warming trend is expected with temperatures tonight remaining unseasonably cold but still about three to five degrees warmer than this morning on average."
In the longer term, Floridians may expect to see a significant change in the upper level pattern that will put an end to the cold outbreaks over Florida for the next few weeks. The persistent trough that has been plaguing the East Coast of the United States should weaken dramatically, bringing warmer temperatures.
