09.08.2023

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Today’s Forecast

77º | Light thunderstorms and rain | 90% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:20 a.m. | Sunset 5:49 p.m.

Here’s how fall will feel

Fall weather forecast for Lakeland

LAL-downtown-kentucky-ave-lakeland-walfaro30-SEPT2022.jpeg

We can’t wait for autumn in Lakeland. | Photo by @walfaro30

We know the question on your mind, Lakelanders — when’s it going to get cooler? Thanks to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center, we know what temperatures and precipitation trends to expect in our city for September, October, and November.

While exact weather conditions typically can’t be predicted more than a week in advance, here’s a seasonal outlook to help you prepare for what fall will bring.

Reminder: The first day of fall is Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.

Maps show predictions for this fall's temperatures and precipitation. — We’re expecting slightly above-average temperatures this season.
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Maps via the NOAA

Temperature

Think warm. This fall, Lakeland has a 40-50% chance of temperatures being higher than normal.

Precipitation

Expect slightly more precipitation. Lakeland has a 33-40% chance of seeing higher-than-average rainfall amounts this fall.

Drought

The Lakeland area is not expected to have any drought conditions this season.

Fluffy baby cow on Cow Creek Farm in Plant City, FL — Fall in Lakeland wouldn’t be the same without a stop by Cow Creek Farms.
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Photo by @cowcreekfarm

Still sweating into September

Typically in Lakeland, September’s temperatures fluctuate between an average low of 73° and an average high of 89°, but this September, you can expect to see more 90+° days through the first half of the month. If you’re excited about cooler temperatures, look forward to September 21, when average high temperatures will begin to settle into the high 80s.

Optimistic about October

In October, the average high and low temps are between 84° and 67°. You’ll most likely still feel nice and warm while you walk through the Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market or stand in line at Born & Bread Bakehouse, but on the bright side, Lakeland in October is known for its gentle breeze.

No fear November

Average highs in November drop a few degrees to 78°. The lows dip into the high 50s with an average of 59°. November is the driest month in Lakeland. On average, there’s only 1.6 inches of precipitation leading up to Thanksgiving.

Asked

The most wonderful time of year to get out and explore the city is...

A. Spring
B. Summer
C. Fall
D. Winter

Our answer: All year 'round

Events

Friday, Sept. 8

Dixieland Night Market | Friday, Sept. 8 | 6-11 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Shop from local makers at this evening market.
DRUMBEAT at Bok | Friday, Sept. 8 | 10-11 a.m. | Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales | $5-$22 | Connect to yourself and others through group drumming exercises — price includes admission to the gardens.
Lawn Grooves: Sounds of Fall Concert Series ft. Frankie Raye | Friday, Sept. 8 | 6-8 p.m. | Lakeside Village in Lakeland, 1479 Town Center Dr., Lakeland | Free | Attend this fall concert series for live performances from local talent — this month’s artist is Frankie Raye.*

Saturday, Sept. 9

Nuts About Nature | Saturday, Sept. 9 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Visit the park for a nature-themed craft, play, and learning opportunity for all ages.
LKLD Indie Bash | Saturday, Sept. 9 | 12 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $12-$18 | Live performers are taking to not one, but two stages at this musical exhibition — tickets are $12 online, $18 day of sale.
Disco Fest II | Saturday, Sept. 9 | 8 p.m.-1 a.m. | Haus 820, 820 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | $18 | Follow the call of the disco ball — a pop-up roller rink, disco dance party, nostalgia market, and local food pop-ups are on the schedule at this 18+ event.

Sunday, Sept. 10

Second Sunday Artisan Market | Sunday, Sept. 10 | 12-5 p.m. | Lakeside Village, 1479 Town Center Dr., Lakeland | Free entry | Shop from local makers and enjoy live music at the much-awaited return of this recurring market in Lakeside Village.
Eclectic Soul Food Sunday Lunch Pop Up | Sunday, Sept. 10 | 1-4 p.m. | Catapult Lakeland, 502 E. Main St., Lakeland | Price of purchase | Pick up honey bourbon shrimp, crab cakes, and more soul food favorites from the Catapult pop-up window.
Enchanted Moonlight | Sunday, Sept. 10 | 4-6 p.m. | Painting with a Twist, 3670 Harden Blvd., Lakeland | $39 | Bring your favorite refreshments and a can-do attitude to this guided painting class.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Coming Soon

Traditional or boneless? Lakeland business owner Sam Joaquim is purchasing the building at 127 S. Kentucky Ave (think: Home to Dissent Brewing and, until recently, Pita Pit). The storefront vacated by Pita Pit will be filled by Sam’s business, Bedrock Wings. The family-owned eatery will be open late, Monday-Saturday. (LkldNow)

Ranked

No. 3. That’s what Polk County Public Schools (PCPS) ranked on WalletHub’s 2023 list of most equitable school districts in Florida. The list ranked 67 school districts. Metrics included “average household income and expenditures for public elementary and secondary schools per pupil.” (WalletHub)

Outdoors

Circle B Bar Reserve’s Marsh Rabbit Run Trail has reopened, but a portion of Alligator Alley is still closed. Polk County’s Parks and Natural Resources Division monitors the trails and determines what sections need to be closed to guests due to alligator activity. (The Ledger)

Community

Polk County purchased 10 acres for a new retention pond in Mulberry’s Imperial Lakes subdivision to improve drainage issues. Heavy rains flood the area, making leaving or getting home impossible for hundreds of residents. The pond will be completed next year; in the meantime, ditches + canals are being drained. (WFLA)

Cause

Register to run in the Pathways School of Excellence’s Jog-A-Thon on Friday, Nov. 10 at 6 p.m. Runners will jog a one-mile course taking off from Southeastern University’s Victory Field. Registration is $25 per runner or $100 per family; proceeds benefit classroom technology, sensory items, and more for Pathways students.

Legacy

University of Central Florida senior Megan O’Grady has created 1,500+ stuffed bears in memory of first responders who died in the line of duty. Her most recent bears honored Polk County Deputy Blane Lane. Lane died last year and was posthumously promoted to sheriff by Sheriff Grady Judd. (WFLA + LkldNow)

Shop

If you’re anything like us, you want your home to smell like the inside of a pumpkin from September through November. Luckily for you, Rafa Natural’s fall line is out. We’re eyeing the hand washes, room sprays, and 20-hour candles.

Real Estate

If you’re all about location, location, location for your next home, discover Grasslands West. Residents can walk to the movies at Lakeside Village, enjoy easy access to the airport + downtown via the Polk Parkway, or run to the Publix right across the street. Take a look.*

History

Meet the name behind your favorite promenade

Meet the woman behind the Frances Langford Promenade in Lakeland, FL

Frances Langford fishing in Lakeland | Photo via Florida Memory

Have you ever ventured through Lakeland and wondered who is behind the naming of certain roads, spots, or venues? Us too — in fact, you can read about the names behind Lake Crago, the Marble Arcade, and more in our guide.

Today, we’re talking about Frances Langford, the namesake for the popular promenade on Lake Mirror.

Known as the “GI Nightingale,” Frances Langford spent much of her life right here in Lakeland in the 1910s. Known primarily for her Golden Age glamour, Frances was also a boater, actress, radio personality, and opera singer.

First a Dreadnaught and later a Moc, Frances attended school at some of Lakeland’s finest institutions and got her start in performing at the age of 17.

She performed on Broadway in “Here Goes the Bride,” in popular radio shows, and made her silver screen debut in the 1935 film “Every Night at Eight.”

Click below to keep reading about the “GI Nightingale.”

Where'd she get that nickname?

Answered

We asked you when the Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market was established...

...and 35% of you correctly said 2003. The market is celebrating 20 years this fall. Take part in the celebration and support your local market by:

Voting for the Lakeland market in the 2023 America’s Farmers Market Celebration through Monday, Sept. 18
Supporting market vendors beyond the market
Visiting the 200+ vendors tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Rilee

From the editor

My perfect Saturday: Perusing vintage items at The Curated Collective, treating myself to a cruffin at Born & Bread Bakehouse, and (especially once the weather takes a turn for cooler temperatures) a walk around one of our stunning lakes. What’s yours?

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