PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – South Florida residents are bracing for a cold snap that could lead to the unusual phenomenon of “falling iguanas,” with temperatures set to drop below 50 degrees this week.
After a low of 55 degrees in Miami on Saturday morning, Local 10 meteorologist Brandon Orr said he expects the mercury to dip even further starting Wednesday, potentially stunning the invasive green iguanas that thrive in South Florida’s typically tropical climate.
These reptiles, which can grow up to five feet long, become dormant and fall from trees when temperatures drop below 50 degrees.
Kendall and Pompano Beach were among the cooler spots Saturday, with lows of 51 degrees, while other areas, including Miami, began to climb into the high 50s and low 60s by mid-morning.
10 a.m. forecast:
Miami’s Saturday afternoon high is forecast to reach 72 degrees, with even warmer conditions expected on Sunday, when temperatures could peak at 75 degrees.
The brief warming trend will culminate Monday, when highs could reach 80 degrees before a strong cold front sweeps through the region Monday night into Tuesday morning. That front is expected to bring highs only in the upper 60s and overnight lows plunging to 49 degrees, the coldest South Florida has seen in nearly two years.
While South Florida will experience its own version of winter, a major storm system is causing havoc across the central U.S. and into the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic.
Heavy snow, sleet, and ice are forecast in those areas, leading to hazardous road conditions and potential power outages. Severe weather, including tornadoes, is also possible in parts of the Deep South, including Mississippi and Alabama.
Despite the chill, South Florida residents can look forward to some sunshine in the afternoons, making it feel slightly warmer.
The cold weather, however, is expected to linger through the end of the week, with no significant warm-up in sight.
For the hour-by-hour forecast and a live radar, visit this page.