Freeze Warnings in place across Southwest Florida as coldest weather of the season arrives

FLORIDA, (WINK)—Some of the coldest temperatures Southwest Florida has seen in years arrive early Friday morning.

The strongest cold front of the season swept across the Sunshine State overnight Wednesday into Thursday, leaving behind some much-needed rain here in Southwest Florida.

A Freeze Warning is in place starting at 1 a.m. through 9 a.m. on Friday for Desoto, Highlands, Glades, Hendry, and inland Charlotte counties.

The National Weather Service issues a freeze warning when significant, widespread freezing temperatures are expected.

A light freeze is likely for communities within the freeze watch area. Take precautions to protect people, pets, and sensitive plants.

A cold weather advisory is in place for all of Southwest Florida, except coastal Collier County, from 1 a.m. through 9 a.m. on Friday. The National Weather Service issues a cold weather advisory when icy wind chill values can lead to hypothermia with prolonged exposure.

Temperatures will plummet into the 30s early Friday morning across much of Southwest Florida. A handful of communities directly on our beaches and farther south may bottom out closer to 40°. When you factor in the wind chill, temperatures will feel about 5° colder than they actually are.

The Weather Authority underwent a deep dive to uncover how this cold snap stacks up historically. The current forecast low temperature for Fort Myers on Friday morning is 37°. This is 17° below the average low temperature of 54° this time of year. The lowest temperature recorded in Fort Myers on January 16 was 32° back in 1927.

In Punta Gorda, the forecast low temperature is 33 degrees, just above the current record of 29° set back in 1978. In Naples, the forecast low is 40°, safely above the record low of 33°, set in 1978.

The Weather Authority will continue to keep you updated both on-air and online as we prepare for the coldest weather so far this season.