We know the question on your mind, Lakelanders — when’s it going to get cold? 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 December, January, and February. 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 winter will bring.
Reminder: The first day of winter is on Thursday, Dec. 21.
Temperature
It could go either way. Our city is predicted to experience typical winter temperatures for the area.
Precipitation
Expect above average precipitation. Lakeland has a 60-70% chance of seeing above-normal rainfall amounts this winter.
What we’ll deal with in December
Typically in December, average temperatures will only fluctuate between 55.4° and 72.5°. Pro tip: December has the shortest days of the year and is the month with the least amount of sunshine, so midday is the best time to get outdoors at places like Bonnet Springs Park.
Jumping into January
Break out your scarves. We probably won’t see any snow, but the first month of the year is usually also the coldest — average high and low temps will likely be between 68.5° and 50.9°. January also has the fewest days of rainfall, with an average of around 4.3 rainy days. We’ll see if that number grows, since this winter is predicted to be rainier.
The forecast for February
Temperatures will start to climb back up in February. Average highs will reach 72.9°, and lows will grow to 54.3°. We can start preparing for springtime strolls through Hollis Garden with 7.8 average hours of sunshine each day and a cloud cover of 37% — the highest of the year.
