Orlando weather: Cold front brings brief cooldown before warmer December trend

ORLANDO, Fla. - Clouds will increase overnight, with a few light rain showers moving into Fox 51 counties, northern Florida, and the Panhandle.

Expect mostly cloudy skies with occasional light rain showers on Friday, but no heavy rain is anticipated. Temperatures will be cooler than Thursday, with highs reaching 59 in Gainesville, 64 in Orlando, and 70 in Melbourne. Some clearing is possible late in the day.

Saturday: Skies will clear, leading to a bright and mostly sunny day. Highs will be near 70 degrees.

NEXT WEEK: Temperatures will warm steadily from Sunday through Wednesday, with highs reaching 80 to 85 degrees early next week.

A cold front is expected next Wednesday, bringing showers, storms, and a significant temperature drop. While rainfall amounts remain uncertain, early predictions suggest highs in the 80s on Wednesday, falling to the 60s by Thursday, Dec. 12.

LOOKING AHEAD: The cooler weather will be short-lived as a broader hemispheric warming trend settles in ahead of Christmas.

Highs in many areas are expected to climb to near or above 80°F throughout much of December, with only brief cool spells associated with weak cold fronts.

No significant arctic blasts are forecast to impact the lower 48 states through the New Year.

The next measurable rainfall is expected next Wednesday, accompanying a cold front that may bring another brief period of cooler weather before highs rebound into the 70s and 80s.