FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — South Florida is bracing for an unusually cold weekend as Arctic air sweeps into the region, leaving locals bundling up and farmers racing to protect crops.
At Three Scoops Ice Cream in Hollywood, owner Ben Morad is stocking up on extra layers.
“Lately, it’s been OK, but we are expecting to get very cold, very soon,” he said. “I will have an extra coat and a layer on me.”
Visitors who usually enjoy the sun are also preparing.
“I like the sunshine and warm weather,” Tamas Poos said. “So I’m going to be really, really dressed up, that’s for sure.”
The cold is posing a bigger challenge for farmers in Miami-Dade County.
At Sam Accursio and Sons Farms, crews are racing to harvest beans before frost hits. Cold temperatures combined with wind could damage plants.
“Some forecasts are coming in at 31 degrees with a slight wind,” said Sam Accursio. “If that wind should die, ice will settle, and the plants can’t take it.”
To protect crops, workers are laying aluminum pipes and preparing frost protection systems.
From ice cream shops to farm fields, South Florida is feeling a rare taste of winter, with residents and growers alike adjusting to the cold.
Local 10’s Jolena Esperto reported from Hollywood Beach on Friday morning, where the weather is still mild but expected to drop sharply.
“It’s definitely warmed up since this morning and you can tell that because you could even see some people enjoying the beach here, some even in their bathing suits, some are a little more bundled up,” Esperto said.
“It is not what I expected but it is still doable I guess,” said Patricia Fallico, visiting from Toronto, Canada.
Her husband, Lou Fallico, said the cold was manageable.
The couple noted the conditions were still far better than what they left behind.
Local 10’s Aaron Maybin spoke with Hollywood Fire Rescue’s Chai Kauffman about home heating safety. Space heaters, in particular, need careful use.
“Specifically in your home, just be safe. I know you want to be warm. Do not use an oven to warm up your home, do not use the stove to warm up your home,” Kauffman said. “Use the actual things that are used for — your heaters in your home or the space heaters — but make sure if you use the space heaters, they’re again, three feet away from any burning material."
She urged the public not to fall asleep or go anywhere without turning them off.
“Run your heaters as you need. Get them on a little early. It’s going to take time for the house to come up to temperature,” said HFR Cpt. Eric Lombardi.
Lombardi also warned residents not to be alarmed by a brief burning smell when heating systems are turned on.
“That’s just dust on the coils,” Lombardi added. “They say that smell is going to last for a few minutes and then things should be all clear.”
Bobby Burrow, who moved from Atlanta for the beach and warmth, said the cold weather will likely keep her away.
“It’s been really cold the last few days, but tomorrow I probably won’t be here because it’s gonna be frigid, and they said on the news that it’s the first time since 2010 that the weather is gonna be frigid cold,” she said.
Alan and Denise Hodish traveled from Long Island, New York, welcoming the break from harsher winter weather.
“We are just happy to get out of the house it has been too cold to do anything where we live this is Okay, we will take it,” Denise Hodish said.
Alan Hodish added, “I just checked my officer today and it was 12 degrees so we can certainly deal with this. I am in shorts light shirt.”
Businesses along the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk say the cold has slowed foot traffic, though owners understand why visitors are staying away.
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