02.29.2024

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Today’s Forecast

79º | 22% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:53 a.m. | Sunset 6:28 p.m.

☀️ Weather you like it or not...

Spring 2024 weather forecast for Lakeland

You know what they say — April showers bring May flowers. | Photo via LALtoday

We know the question on your mind, Lakelanders — when’s it going to get hot? 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 March, April, and May.

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 spring will bring.

Reminder: The first day of spring is coming up on Tuesday, March 19.

🌡️ Temperature

Things could go... either way. This spring, Lakeland has an equal chance of temperatures being higher or lower than normal. Personally, we wouldn’t hate if the heat held off a bit longer.

🌨️ Precipitation

Expect a few more rainy days. Lakeland has a 50-60% chance of seeing higher than average rainfall amounts this spring.

A map of the United States showing the seasonal temperature outlook. — According to the map, Lakeland’s spring temps have an equal chance of leaning above or below normal.
|
Screenshot via NOAA

Mild March

Average temperatures in Lakeland throughout March tend to range from high-50s to high-70s, with the average high hitting ~76°. In other words, it’s the perfect time of year for nice mornings on the porch with coffee in hand. Don’t forget: On Sunday, March 10, we’ll “spring forward” and get an extra hour of daylight in the evenings.

April showers

April is when Lakeland typically begins to see more rain — and this year, we might see more of it than normal. Temperatures also tend to start rising this month, with the average high moving up to ~83° and the average low hitting ~63°.

May brings the heat

Historically, May is when we really start to feel the heat here in Lakeland. Average highs this month get up to ~86°, and potential higher-than-average amounts of rain this year could translate to more humidity. In the past, Lakeland’s average relative humidity in May has been 73%.

Events

Thursday, Feb. 29

Trivia Night: “The Office” | Thursday, Feb. 29 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free entry | You might not win a Dundie Award, but you can win bragging rights at trivia night at the Rooftop Bar.

Friday, March 1

First Friday: Flight Night | Friday, March 1 | 6-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free entry | Downtown shops and restaurants will be open late for this family-friendly event featuring STEM activities for kids.
Swan City Improv Comedy Show | Friday, March 1 | Times vary | Rec Room, 202 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | $10-$15 | Laugh along at these improvised comedy shows — all ages are welcome to the 7:30 p.m. show, but the 9:30 p.m. show is 21+.

Saturday, March 2

Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market | Saturday, March 2 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland, 210 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free entry | Find fresh produce, plants, and locally handcrafted items at this outdoor farmers market.
Birding on the Boardwalk | Saturday, March 2 | 10 a.m.12 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Grab binoculars and a birding guide at the Blanton Family Lagoon to explore the park’s bird residents.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Try This

Stroll-shopping + supporting local at Lakeside Second Sunday Market

Try This: Stroll-shopping + supporting local at Lakeside Second Sunday Market

Presented by a LALtoday Partner

rotating images of scenes from the lakeside second sunday market including a view of the market, a vendor holding a plate, and plants on a table

Where will your shopping trip take you? We loved talking with vendors and exploring the variety of market items. | Photos by LALtoday

City editor Connor here. I know Lakeland loves its markets — and here’s one you should mark on your calendar each month. The Lakeside Second Sunday Market at Lakeside Village brings together 80+ vendors in a serene setting every month. It’s the perfect place to find a unique item you won’t find anywhere else while supporting local small business owners.

I recently visited the market for myself — here’s what I discovered:

What we tried

I started my shopping at one end of the market, working my way by each booth. The booths are spaced out so you have plenty of room to browse at your leisure. Each month, a different artist performs on the Lawn, giving the market an easygoing vibe.

Many vendors offer product samples, so I tried the blueberry iced tea by RoyalTea Shoppe — then I just had to order a full glass. It was the perfect way to cool off while I soaked up the sunshine, shopping under the palm trees.

See what we loved

News Notes

Number

$50 million. That’s how much spring training brings to Lakeland’s economy, according to previous reports from the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce. With the first full week of MLB spring training games underway, expect a bit more traffic and longer wait times at some spots around Tigertown. (Bay News 9)

Edu

Over 4,500 Polk County Public Schools employees will receive a negotiated pay raise today. The pay raise, which will be retroactive to July 1, comes after a class-action grievance between the Polk Education Association teachers’ union + PCPS was settled. (LkldNow)

Festival

Who’s playing at the Strawberry Festival this weekend? Look forward to seeing performers like The Beach Boys tomorrow, Black Eyed Peas on Saturday, and Parker McCollum on Sunday. (WTSP)

Apply

Leadership Lakeland Class XLI nominations are open. The program hosted by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce gives participants an opportunity to enhance leadership skills, expand their professional networks, and become more familiar with community issues. Apply or nominate by Thursday, March 28.

Try This

Have household hazardous waste to get rid of? Bring it to the Haines City Public Works Department (300 N. 5th St.) this Saturday, March 2 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. for a disposal event. Think: electronics, computers, monitors, fax machines, TVs, and batteries. (The Ledger)

History

While the Strawberry Festival has never had a Black Strawberry Queen, many women have thrown their hats in the ring and hope that one day there might be. Read the stories of women like Essie Lewis, who ran in 1973 and finished in second place. (WUSF)

Award

Winter Haven High student Jason Iduyan recently earned the highest possible mark in an individual subject for Cambridge students in the US, receiving a “Top in Country” award. Iduyan earned the award for computer science and is the first “Top in Country” honoree in school history.

Home

The secret to spotless furniture: ChomChom’s reusable lint roller, which picks up pet hair and lint like nobody’s business. Get it on sale for a few more hours.*

Holiday

Throwback Thursday: Leap Day, 2020

It’s Leap Day: Here’s what Lakeland was doing four years ago

Things sure have changed — now, we have an entire section of our website dedicated to events. | Graphic via 6AM City

Happy Leap Day, Lakeland. The last time we tacked an extra 24 hours to the end of February was in 2020, which got us thinking: What was happening in Lakeland on the last Leap Day?

We took a look at our February 28, 2020 LALtoday newsletter to see what we were up to this time four years ago.

Events we were attending

Were you at the Makers Market hosted by Buena Nights (now Buena Market) last Leap Day? The event kicked off Women’s History Month with an all women-owned restaurant tour collab, 30+ local vendors, and a DJ set by T.Couture.

You may have also visited the 49th Annual Lake Wales Arts Festival, a weekend-long event that started on Leap Day 2020.

News we were watching

Last Leap Day, we dove into the Lakeland Economic Development Council’s presentation on its 2020 Priorities and Beyond, which proposed an idea to redevelop property around Lake Mirror.

Lakeland was also anticipating the largest hot air balloon festival in Florida, which took place the weekend of Leap Day.

Businesses we were eyeing

The Buy

The Buy 2.29.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

New tees for a new season. Freshen up your spring wardrobe with tees that feel as good as they look from Carolina Surf Dogs, Salt Monkey, and Sandlot Goods.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Brianna

From the editor

Happy Leap Day, Lakeland. How will I use this extra 24 hours, you ask? Writing another newsletter for you all, of course! (And watching the 2010 film “Leap Year” for the first time — it only seems right.)

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