It’s going to be so cold, a freeze warning was issued for Manatee, Sarasota counties

There may not be snow on the ground, but Florida is definitely feeling the chill of below-freezing winter weather as the National Weather Service issues freeze warnings for Manatee and Sarasota counties.

According to Spectrum Bay News 9, Bradenton saw a low of 30 degrees Thursday morning. While it may not have set a record, it was certainly close. The record for Jan. 18 is 29 degrees and was recorded in 1977, according to The Weather Channel.

The National Weather Service in the 2:25 p.m. forecast discussion expanded a Freeze Warning for several counties to include interior Manatee and Sarasota counties Thursday afternoon that will be in effect from midnight to 9 a.m. Friday.

Meteorologists said in the discussion that if the winds go more east, it will slow the drop in temperatures overnight and a freeze may not happen in the area. But a hard freeze for more northern counties still looks likely.

Also under a freeze warning are coastal Pasco, DeSoto, Hardee and Highlands counties as well as inland Hillsborough and Polk counties.

A Hard Freeze Watch has been issued for Thursday night through Friday morning for Citrus, Hernando and inland Pasco counties for low temperatures in the mid to upper 20s, according to Bay News 9.

NWS forecasts call for a sunny and warmer Friday afternoon with a high near 63, nearly 10 degrees warmer than Thursday’s high. Saturday will continue the warming trend, with an expected high near 69.

Temperatures will continue to rise into next week, according to the NWS, with highs in the 70s through Tuesday.

But starting Monday, a slight chance of showers enters the mix, with a 30 percent chance Monday, a 20 percent chance Tuesday and a 30 percent chance Wednesday.

This story was originally published January 18, 2018 at 5:00 PM with the headline "It’s going to be so cold, a freeze warning was issued for Manatee, Sarasota counties."