Central Florida is preparing for another round of dangerously cold weather just weeks after a historic freeze devastated the region. The National Weather Service has issued a Cold Weather Advisory and a Freeze Watch for the area surrounding Walt Disney World and much of Central Florida.
Weather Alerts and Timing
The incoming arctic air will arrive in two waves starting early Monday morning. Residents and theme park guests should prepare for the following conditions:
- Cold Weather Advisory: Effective from 3 AM to 10 AM EST Monday. Wind chills are expected to drop as low as 29 degrees.
- Freeze Watch: In effect from late Monday night through Tuesday morning. Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 29 degrees are possible across inland areas.
The alerts cover a wide range of counties, including Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, and Polk. These areas house the major theme parks and heavy tourist corridors.
This latest cold snap follows a catastrophic freeze in late January and early February that left the state reeling. Preliminary estimates from the Florida Department of Agriculture show more than $3 billion in losses across the state.
Growers reported nearly 100% loss for some crops like sweet corn, while strawberry and citrus farmers saw significant damage. In the Disney World area, many tropical plants at Disney resorts had to be cut back to the ground to allow for eventual regrowth.
Impact on EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival
The timing of this freeze is particularly stressful for the horticulture teams at Walt Disney World. The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is scheduled to begin on March 4. Crews have already spent weeks planting thousands of flowers and positioning iconic character topiaries across the park.
Freezing temperatures can be fatal to tender seasonal blooms. While the topiaries are built on sturdy frames, the “skin” of the figures consists of living plants like creeping fig or moss. If these plants freeze, the characters can lose their color and detail, requiring expensive and time-consuming repairs just days before the festival begins.
What – For the Cold Weather Advisory, very cold wind chills as low as 29 expected. For the Freeze Watch, sub-freezing temperatures as low as 29 possible.
Where – Inland Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Inland Hillsborough, Inland Manatee, Inland Pasco, and Polk Counties. Coastal Volusia, Inland Indian River, Inland Northern Brevard, Inland Saint Lucie, Inland Southern Brevard, Inland Volusia, Mainland Northern Brevard, Northern Lake, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Southern Lake.
When – For the Cold Weather Advisory, from 3 AM to 10 AM EST Monday. For the Freeze Watch, from late Monday night through Tuesday morning.
Impacts – Very cold temperatures can lead to hypothermia with prolonged exposure. Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
Summary – Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves. Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.
Disney World Braces for Freezing Temperatures as New Cold Front Moves In
