January feeling like Spring: Southwest Florida flirts with record heat again

Warmer-than-normal temperatures continue to dominate Southwest Florida as the region remains locked in an unseasonably mild pattern for January.

Afternoon highs are running well above the seasonal average of 75 degrees, and the warmth will continue all weekend long.

According to WINK News The Weather Authority, high temperatures over the next seven days will generally stay above normal.

Highs will reach the mid-80s on Friday and Saturday before easing slightly early next week. Even with the modest cooldown, temperatures are still expected to remain mild, with highs in the upper 70s to near 80 through Tuesday, followed by lower 70s by midweek.

Several locations are coming close to record heat today. Fort Myers is expected to top out near 85 degrees, compared to a record of 88 set in 2013. Punta Gorda is forecast to reach about 84 degrees, just below its record of 87 from 2013. In Naples, a high near 85 degrees is possible, approaching the record of 86 set in 1974. Each of these locations typically averages highs around 75 degrees this time of year, highlighting just how unusual the current warmth is for January.

The number of days reaching the 80s this month continues to add up. So far this January, Southwest Florida has recorded four days with highs in the 80s. While that total is lower than some recent years, such as 2023 when there were 19 days in the 80s or 2017 with 17, it still reflects a trend toward a warmer than normal month ahead.

While temperatures remain quite warm throughout the weekend, WINK News The Weather Authority is looking towards that cooler air next week, with signs of even colder temperatures for next weekend. That means this taste of spring will be short-lived.

WINK News meteorologists have the latest on air all weekend long.