MIDWAY, Fla. (WTXL) -- A strong cold front Wednesday isn't likely to create another round of active storms, but it will trigger a plunge in temperatures for the local area.
With support of a potent upper-level trough over the eastern United States, the cold front will carry a very strong ridge of high pressure from the Arctic regions into the middle part of the country. Gusty winds will be felt late Wednesday across north Florida and south Georgia. Those same winds will transport massively cold air from the upper Midwest and the Ohio Valley straight into the Southeast.
Thursday morning will feature temperatures falling well into the 20s in most locations, even near the coast, for at least a few hours. In anticipation of the lengthy duration of these well below-freezing conditions, a Hard Freeze Watch is in effect late Wednesday night through Thursday morning for all WTXL viewing area counties. The watch will be revised to a warning if the forecast stays on track.
Sustained winds by late Wednesday will exceed 15 mph, with gusts nearing 30 mph at times. The extra wind will trigger wind chill "feels-like" values in the teens by early Thursday morning. Highs in the afternoon will struggle to reach the 40s, especially in Georgia.
Thursday night through Friday morning will be nearly as cold, with readings falling into the 20s again, but with less wind. Conditions will only gradually become warmer over the weekend.
