Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by ADVTP
Orlando, FL. – In Florida, February weather is supposed to be warm, but not like this. The next heat wave, which is expected to start on Wednesday and extend at least through the weekend, has the potential to change history.
Nearly every day will see a threat to daily temperature records, but this week may also see the highest February temperature ever recorded here.
In February, Orlando experienced its warmest temperature ever, which was 90 degrees. This has happened three times—twice in 1962 and once in 1935. Thursday is now expected to be 91 degrees. On Thursday, Leesburg and Sanford may experience their warmest February on record. Melbourne and Daytona Beach are close by.
In Orlando, 90 degrees have only been achieved in February three times since 1892, making the forthcoming heat wave even more unprecedented. There are five opportunities to meet the goal.
That would be the second-earliest occurrence of 90 degrees on record if Orlando experiences temperatures of 90 or higher on Wednesday or Thursday.
Florida and portions of the Southeast will bake due to a large ridge of high pressure that will dominate the northern Caribbean and southwest Atlantic.
La Niña winter typically has this pattern. The unusually dry to drought conditions in Central Florida may intensify over the next few weeks due to this weather trend, which also causes severely dry conditions over an extended period of time.
Although it will be humid, it won’t be as humid as it would be in the midst of the summer, making wildfires more likely to start.
Although meteorology can explain this pattern and heat, the impact is probably being amplified by a generally warming climate. The Gulf of Mexico and Southwest Atlantic are also seeing many above-average water temperatures, which is assisting in maintaining the peninsula’s nocturnal temperatures.
A significant Arctic outbreak will take place in the meantime across the northern tier of the U.S. and the Plains. Without the wind, temperatures from Minnesota through Montana could plunge from 20 to 30 degrees below zero. Highs in Florida will soar into the 90s while lows will be well below zero.
A strong storm with heavy snow on the cold side and the potential for more severe weather in the Deep South will be predicted where the two air masses connect.
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Chris began his writing as a hobby while attending Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. Today he and his wife live in the Orlando area with their three children and dog.
