Residents of Vero Beach and Indian River County should prepare to bundle up as a significant cold front sweeps across Florida, bringing a dramatic end to the recent unseasonal heat. After a weekend where temperatures soared into the 90s in parts of the state, a sharp cold snap is forecast to impact the Treasure Coast beginning Monday night and extending into Tuesday morning, February 24.
According to data from the National Weather Service (NWS), the region is transitioning from near-record highs to potentially hazardous lows within a matter of hours. The NWS has issued Cold Weather Advisories and Red Flag Warnings covering large swaths of East and Central Florida, directly impacting our local area situated between Melbourne and Port St. Lucie.
What to Expect in Vero Beach and the Treasure Coast
The cold front is expected to drop temperatures into the upper 30s across the region overnight Monday into early Tuesday. Specifically, neighboring forecasts for Melbourne and Port St. Lucie indicate that residents can expect the following conditions from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Tuesday:
National Weather Service Outlook
The National Weather Service in Miami provided high confidence regarding the severity of this temperature drop for South Florida and the interior regions.
Temperatures will plummet and there remains high confidence that temperatures will drop below the freezing mark across the interior portions of Southwest Florida tonight into early Tuesday morning. Low temperatures in the mid to upper 30s will be common across a good portion of the rest of South Florida.
Wildlife Impact: The “Falling Iguana” Warning
Local residents should also be aware of the potential for immobilized wildlife. When temperatures fall into the 40s or below, invasive green iguanas can become cold-stunned and temporarily paralyzed. This often causes them to lose their grip on tree branches and fall to the ground. While they may appear dead, they usually recover once temperatures rise.
During a similar cold snap in early February, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued executive orders allowing for the collection of these invasive reptiles.
Preparation Tips
With the Cold Weather Advisory in effect until Tuesday morning, residents are advised to:
This weather event marks a significant shift from the weekend, where Hollywood, Florida, recorded a high of 92 degrees—the highest temperature in the United States for that day. Vero Beach residents should dress in layers and stay tuned to local weather updates as conditions develop.
