Florida has broken multiple heat records across the state between the months of October and November. Many days in Central Florida have seen the upper 80s and low 90s; but that could be about to end as meteorologists predict some much colder temperatures in the forecast.
El Nino is the band of warm ocean water that periodically develops in part of the Pacific Ocean. This brings colder, wetter winters to the southeast United States, with drier conditions up north.
This year’s El Nino is one of the strongest on record, meaning it could get considerably chilly in Florida.
The last time El Nino was this warm, in 1998, several tornadoes swept through Melbourne killing dozens of people, and injuring more than a hundred more.
The season involves a jet stream stretching across North America that is expected to bring strong storms to the southeast United States.
Craig Fugate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency told the Associated Press severe storms typically pass through at the beginning of December until March. The storm activity typically happens during the overnight hours.
Like always, the agency recommends that all Floridians be prepared with the proper emergency response kits, weather radios and an evacuation plan on hand – flash flooding and tornadoes can also become a major issue.
This week, temperatures are expected to be in the upper 60s through the Orlando metro area.
In 1998, 42 people died as seven tornadoes came through Melbourne and also injured more than 250 people.
Winter in Florida is typically the driest part of the year, but that is often not the case during an El Nino year.