South Florida facing near-freezing temperatures

South Florida's coldest temperatures of the year were expected Saturday and Sunday night, bringing a chilly downturn amid an otherwise balmy winter.

Temperatures as low as 36 degrees were anticipated Saturday night in Broward and Palm Beach counties, with a potential drop down to 34 degrees Sunday night. Miami-Dade County was forecast to dip into the 40s, according the National Weather Service office in Miami.

"A very dry and cold air mass is progressing south over the region," National Weather Service Meteorologist Alex Gibbs said. "[Wind chill] is going to make it feel colder."

Inland portions of Broward and Palm Beach counties were expected to get the coldest temperatures Saturday and Sunday night, with the coastal area lows forecast to stay in the 40s.

Forecasts for 5 to 10 mph winds, making it feel as low as 30 degrees in some areas Saturday night, prompted a wind chill advisory from the National Weather Service. Winds were expected to diminish by Sunday night, Gibbs said.

A freeze warning was issued for Glades and Hendry counties near Lake Okeechobee Saturday night, raising concerns about potential damage to vegetables and other crops.

Runners can expect a cold wakeup call at the pre-dawn line-up for Sunday morning's A1A Marathon and Half Marathon in Fort Lauderdale.Last year the temperature was in the 80s on race day.

"South Floridians who are used to warmer weather are in for a shock, but our out-of-town participates are loving it," race director Matt Lorraine said.

Colder temperatures are actually "optimal" for marathon runners, as long as they come dressed for the weather, Lorraine said.

At the finish line, improvising race organizers plan to have garbage bags converted to ponchos to offer runners a way to warm up, Lorraine said. Also, runners before the race can leave coats and other cold weather gear to change into at the finish line.

Nearly 5,000 runners were signed up to participate Sunday.

"It might definitely cause some people not to show up [but] it won't affect our planning," Lorraine said about the weather.

South Florida's cold snap is expected to be gone by Monday afternoon, when temperatures are forecast to climb back up to the 60s or 70s, with lows that night in the 50s, according to the National Weather Service.

abreid@tribune.com, 561-228-5504 or Twitter@abreidnews

Source: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/fl-cold-snap-update-saturday-20130216,0,980806.story?track=rss

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