Cold Weather

Several Southwest Florida areas are preparing shelter accommodations for cold weather forecast for tonight and Friday.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission says 5,195 invasive green iguanas were removed from Florida’s ecosystems under and executive order thanks to the efforts of members of the public, partners, and staff.

We Floridians aren't used to chilly weather, which makes cold snaps like this week's challenging for our bodies and minds to adjust to. Florida Gulf Coast University Social Work Professor Ariella VanHara says this can bring unexpected mental health impacts.

The odds of significant cold, coastal, and marine impacts across South Florida this weekend and beyond continues to increase. An Extreme Cold Watch is in effect for the Lake Okeechobee region and coastal Palm beach County and a Freeze Watch is in effect for inland Collier, Miami Dade and Broward counties. Wind chills could drop into the 20s across all of South Florida early Sunday morning. Very breezy conditions are expected on Saturday afternoon through early Sunday morning as the strong cold front pushes through the area. Sustained winds 15-25 mph could gust up to 40 mph, with highest winds likely along the immediate coastlines. A Gale Watch is in effect for local waters beginning on Saturday afternoon and evening. Sustained winds of 30-40 knots with higher gusts is possible across the Atlantic and Gulf waters through Sunday afternoon. Wave heights could peak as high as 12 feet across the Gulf and Atlantic waters during the day on Sunday as well.

Windy and cold conditions were experienced in Southwest Florida Sunday afternoon with some power outages reported.

A forecast for frigid temperatures for Southwest Florida has some areas planning shelter accommodations.

With an oncoming forecast of low temperatures in the next few days, Lee, Charlotte. Collier, Hendry and Sarasota counties are coordinating with partner agencies for cold weather outreach.

Sarasota County Emergency Management officials have coordinated with municipal and community partners to provide cold weather shelter for those individuals in need due to the predicted drop in temperatures. Those attending should bring their own sleeping materials.

The winter storm that crossed the Gulf coast and landed in Florida earlier this week is one for the record books, smashing the previous all-time high for snowfall in the Sunshine State.

Due to temperatures in Collier County over the next 24 hours predicted at 40 degrees or less, several sites will serve as warming shelters for those in need.