Weather

BRR! Frosty days ahead in Central Florida

By Kelly Healey and Brian Shields, WFTV.com
By Kelly Healey and Brian Shields, WFTV.com

ORLANDO, Fla. — It was a chilly start to Thursday in Central Florida after a cold front blew through Wednesday night, certified meteorologist Brian Shields said.

"After one of our coldest starts this season, we do it again tonight. We’ll drop into the 30s and 40s by early Friday morning," Shields said.
The chill is expected to stick around through the rest of the week with temperatures not expected to rise above 60 degrees Thursday, Shields said.
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Prepare to bundle up again Thursday night, with lows in the 40s and patchy frost in the forecast.
"With lighter winds tonight, there is a better chance of patchy frost, especially north and west of Orlando. Protect the plants, and of course, don’t forget about the pets," Shields said.
Cold weather outdoor plant tips:
• Bring in potted plants.
• Give extra protection by covering them with burlap or another fibrous cloth. Don't cover them with plastic because it draws heat from plants. If the plant is too big, douse the ground around it with water before nightfall. Cold-tolerant plants left outside include junipers, hollies, ligustrums.
• Don't worry about citrus trees or hardy vegetables such as broccoli, but irrigating or covering them won't hurt as long as there is no water sitting on the plants overnight.
• During the day before a possible freeze, get as much water into the ground as you can but don't get water on the plant after sunset. While commercial growers sometimes turn on sprinklers to protect plants during a freeze, it can backfire and ruin plants if you don't know exactly when to turn them on and off.
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