ORLANDO -- Freezing temperatures and stinging winds are in the forecast for Central Florida overnight.
Tuesday night lows are expected to drop to 36 in Orlando, 37 in Kissimmee, 35 in Daytona Beach, 34 in Clermont, and 28 in Ocala.
Cold Weather Warnings
- Wind Chill Advisory: Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, Sumter, Volusia.
View Map | Wind Chill Chart - Red Flag Warning: All Central Florida counties. View Map
- Freeze Warning: Flagler, Marion, Sumter. View Map
- Weather On The 1's
In addition, the Titusville area of Brevard County is under a Frost Warning.
All of Central Florida's counties have dangerously dry conditions. The danger is not just because of the lack of humidity in much of the area, but also because of the wind, which is expected to be a concern over the next few days.
Construction Crews Brave The Cold
While many people are inside trying to keep warm, there are some who are braving the cold.
One construction crew said although these conditions may not be the most comfortable, they still have a job to do. The crew is paving the area on State Road 408 between Conway Road and State Road 436.
According to the Department of Transportation, construction workers usually prefer to work at night because it can get too hot during the day.
News 13 spoke with a crew member who said they will wrap up for the night as soon as it drops to 40 degrees because that’s when paving conditions become too difficult.
When temperatures climb back up, the crew will resume working.
Freezing Fruit Fears
Citrus farmers are getting ready a long cold night. They're watering trees and hoping Mother Nature takes it easy on them Tuesday night.
News 13 spoke with farmers in Lake County who spent the day testing and checking their irrigation systems. They said you have you have to keep water on the fruit to give it a better chance of surviving the cold.
"As long as you are watering the tree and creating ice, you will keep the tree right at 32 degrees and it will protect it," said John Arnold, a citrus grower.
Tuesday night is expected to be the first test of the season for citrus growers. They said they really need the temperature to stay above 32 degrees and for a layer of cloud cover to come in and provide them some insulation.
Staying Safe When Using A Fireplace
As the temperatures dip to or near freezing, there are some safety tips you might want to consider when heating your home.
If you're planning to use a fireplace, fire officials suggest making sure it's professionally cleaned and inspected. The highly dangerous creosote could be building up in your chimney.
It is also suggested to avoid using nonstandard methods of heating your home.
"A lot of times they're using inappropriate methods to heat their home, such as a stove, perhaps not having another method of heating their home or they're just not properly not giving the distance from a space heater," said Capt. Randall Mells, the Winter Park Fire Marshal.
Space heaters should be kept at least three feet from anything combustible.
Capt. Mells said a working smoke detector is also the best way to prevent a fire.
Shelter For The Homeless
The Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida has declared Tuesday night a "cold night" because of the expected temperatures, meaning they will not turn away anyone seeking shelter.
Officials with the coalition said in the tough economic times, some people literally cannot afford heat. So on days when the temperature drops below 40 degrees, the coalition invites anyone to come in for free.
"Anybody in the community can come and stay with us, whether they're homeless or just don't have heat in their home," said Muffet Robinson, the coalition's director of communications and community relations.
The Coalition for the Homeless is located 639 W. Central Blvd., in Orlando.
The group has put out an urgent call for blanket donations as well from the community. To find out how to donate, call (407) 426-1250, or visit CentralFloridaHomeless.org.
Free Coats For Jones High Students
Students at Jones High School in Orlando are making sure students are prepared for the drop in temperatures.
At the school's campus store, the "Tiger's Den," students are able to choose from donated items, including coats, just in time for the chilly conditions.
"With cold days approaching, our students will be able to have the appropriate attire for school," said one worker at the Tiger's Den.
"I'm so happy that I found this jacket," said one relieved Jones High student. "I like it, and my mother likes it."
The store gladly accepts gently used items from the community. To find out how to donate, visit Jones High School's Web site, or call (407) 835-2300.
Staying Safe In Cold Weather
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