Central Florida may actually start to feel like the holidays as cold temperatures are expected for the weekend. But don't expect to see the snow people across the Gulf Coast from Texas to Georgia are seeing right now.

Strong storms impacted parts of Central Florida this evening, and the activity will continue to work the region overnight. Expect heavy rain at times and gusty winds.

Morning temperatures will be in the 60s as the cold front moves through the area.

Behind the front, cold air will rush in across the area. The rain will exit by mid to late morning, leaving clearing skies and chilly conditions. Temperatures will fall through the day, with evening temps in the 50s. It will also be windy, with gusts over 30 mph possible.

Temperatures will tumble Saturday night, with overnight lows in the 30s.

A large cold front brought rare snowfall in south central Texas and Louisiana late Thursday and Friday. Some parts of the Texas gulf coast saw up to 4 inches of snow. Parts of Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia may see more before all this is over.

Here in Florida, the western part of the Panhandle may see snowflakes mixed with the rain overnight, but we are not expecting snow here in Central Florida.

Even more chilly air arrives Sunday. Expect sunny skies and lighter winds. Highs for Sunday will only be in the low 60s.

Our coldest night of the season so far will likely be Sunday night. We will see clear skies and temperatures falling into the upper 30s and low 40s. A freeze watch is already posted for Marion County, and frost is possible in parts of the area.

It will stay crisp for most of next week, with plenty of sunshine and temps in the 60s.

Another cold front arrives Wednesday, bringing a very slight rain chance and another round of cool temps. Highs will remain in the 60s for the back end of next week.

A small craft advisory is posted for Saturday, with northwest winds 15 to 20 knots and seas from 4 to 6 feet. Surfers will see fair conditions, with wave heights of 3 to 4 feet. A moderate rip current threat continues for Atlantic beaches on Saturday.

The last time it snowed in Orlando

Snow is the last thing we think about in Florida, and many current residents escaped the north to get away from snow.

Nevertheless, it has happened in Florida, and even as far south as Miami.

Many times the snow we see in Central Florida is called ocean-effect snow, similar to lake effect snow.

But every once in a very great while, we see a dusting in the Orlando area. And in 1977, we actually saw a few inches.

Here are a few notable dates from the last 50 years:

  • Jan. 8-9, 2010 -- Reports of light snowfall from Marion County down to Melbourne in Brevard County.
  • Jan. 3, 2008 -- Snow flurries in Daytona Beach.
  • Nov. 21, 2006 -- A light dusting and snowflakes in Central Florida.
  • Jan. 24, 2003 -- Ocean-effect snow in Volusia County.
  • Dec. 23-24, 1989 -- Light snow led to a white Christmas for some in Florida, including in Palm Coast in Flagler County.
  • Jan. 18, 1977 -- A combination of weather systems created an arctic blast that sent cold temperatures all the way down to Miami, where it snowed. Orlando and Tampa saw as much as six inches of rain in some isolated spots, though one to two inches was more common. 

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