Cold Front Brings Freezing Wind Chills and Temps in the 40s to Gulf Coast

A cold front swept through Southwest Florida late Monday according to a report by Gulf Coast News and Weather. Wind chill values will plunge into the 30s across the region when New Year's Eve morning arrives. Temps will sink into the low 40s and mid-30s by Wednesday morning.

The front crossed the Gulf Coast overnight Monday while most residents slept. Temps dropped into the 50s after it passed. Cool, dry air kept flowing in throughout Tuesday.

Highs will sit well below average in the 60s. Mostly sunny skies dominate Tuesday. Wind chill values will crash into the 30s for all of Southwest Florida by Wednesday morning, hitting areas as far south as Cape Coral and Gateway.

People heading out to ring in the New Year should brace for cold conditions. Temps will hover in the 30s and 40s.

The cold snap arrives as the entire region battles drought conditions. Moderate drought plagues Southwest Florida.

The front will deliver no rain to the parched region. Small rain chances return for the weekend, but dry conditions persist as brush fire season's peak approaches this spring.

A north wind ushered in the cold air mass to close out 2025 and launch 2026. The breeze will prevent any fog from building Tuesday morning, unlike the fog that greeted many residents Monday morning.

Cold weather will linger for several days. Many mornings will register temps in the 40s through the start of the new year.

Fort Myers Beach was crowded over the weekend as season traffic surged. Beachgoers soaked up warm weather and sunshine before the cold snap hit.