WITH US. WE’LL HAVE THAT FOR YOU. COMING UP. >> AND WHILE THAT FORECAST SOUNDS FREEZING TO A SEASONAL RESIDENTS AND TOURISTS ARE LOOKING AT THE THERMOMETER AND PRETTY MUCH LAUGHING. GULF COAST IS REPORTER JALEN BARRON IS LIVE AT THE CAPE CORAL YACHT CLUB. JALEN ARE PEOPLE TRADING IN THEIR FLIP-FLOPS OR BOOTS YET? >> YES, PETERS. THE USUALLY DON’T THINK FREEZING AND THINK FLORIDA, BUT I’M HERE ALONG CAPE CORAL YACHT CLUB AND THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF FLIP-FLOPS PAIRED WITH A LOT OF JACKETS. BEACHGOERS ARE TRYING TO ENJOY THE SUN AS MUCH AS THEY CAN BEFORE THE TEMPERATURES DROP EVEN MORE TOMORROW. >> OF PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER. >> NEW YORK, MISSOURI, VERMONT, KENTUCKY, WISCONSIN, OHIO, AND MORE VISITORS TO CAPE CORAL WILL FACE THE COLDEST NEW YEAR’S EVE IN 25 YEARS WHILE TRYING TO GET IN SOME LAST-MINUTE BEACH TIME BEFORE LOW 30’S TOMORROW CALLED WAY TO END. YOU CAN LIKE GO IN THE WATER. THAT’S COOL, TOO. THINGS GETTING MELISSA WHITE HATCHER ISN’T COMPLAINING. SHE SAYS IT’S ABOUT 11 DEGREES AND WITH SNOW ON THE GROUND AT HOME IN INDIANAPOLIS, WE’RE GOING TO SOAK UP EVERY BIT OF THE SUN WE CAN. THERE WILL BE BREEZY WINDS AND GUSTS UP TO 20 TO 25 MILES PER HOUR. WATER WILL BE CHOPPY OR FOR BOATERS TRYING TO SEE FIREWORKS ON NEW YEAR’S EVE AND A HIGH RISK FOR OUTDOOR FIRES. SO THINK TWICE BEFORE SITTING AROUND THE CAMPFIRE MAKING SMORES AND UNFORTUNATELY THESE COLD FRONTS WE LOVE, IT FEELS FANTASTIC. FINALLY THAT LOW HUMIDITY. >> BUT IT BRINGS IN ALL THE INGREDIENTS FOR FIRE DANGER. >> NOW, REMEMBER, IF YOU PLAN ON TURNING YOUR HEAT, 8 MIGHT START TO SMELL BUT DON’T BE ALARMED AND BE SURE TO DOUBLE. CHECK YOUR TIRES BEFORE HEADING OUT TOMORROW. THE COLD CAN CAUSE THEM TO DEFLAT
Cape Coral beachgoers embrace chilly weather as cold front hits Southwest Florida
Updated: 6:02 PM EST Dec 30, 2025
In Cape Coral, beachgoers are determined to enjoy the sun despite facing the coldest New Year’s Eve in 25 years, with temperatures expected to drop to the low 30s.”We love the beach,” said Glenna and Mira Johnson, who are among the many visitors from states like New York, Missouri, Vermont, Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Ohio.Glenna added, “Yeah, it’s cold, but it’s really fun. And you can, like, go in the water that’s cold, but it’s really gonna be fun.”Melissa White-Hatcher, vacationing from Indianapolis, where it’s about 11 degrees with snow on the ground, isn’t complaining about the Florida chill.”So we’re going to soak up every bit of the sun we can,” she said.While a wind chill may keep people out of the water, it hopefully won’t deter them from enjoying New Year’s Eve fireworks.However, Gulf Coast meteorologist Lauren Hope cautioned that the cold fronts, while bringing low humidity, also increase fire danger.”And unfortunately, these cold fronts, we love them. It feels fantastic. Finally, there is low humidity, but it brings in all the ingredients for fire danger,” she said.As the cold weather sets in, residents are reminded to check their tire pressure, as the cold can cause tires to deflate, and to be prepared for a smell when turning on the heat for the first time.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
In Cape Coral, beachgoers are determined to enjoy the sun despite facing the coldest New Year’s Eve in 25 years, with temperatures expected to drop to the low 30s.
“We love the beach,” said Glenna and Mira Johnson, who are among the many visitors from states like New York, Missouri, Vermont, Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Ohio.
Glenna added, “Yeah, it’s cold, but it’s really fun. And you can, like, go in the water that’s cold, but it’s really gonna be fun.”
Melissa White-Hatcher, vacationing from Indianapolis, where it’s about 11 degrees with snow on the ground, isn’t complaining about the Florida chill.
“So we’re going to soak up every bit of the sun we can,” she said.
While a wind chill may keep people out of the water, it hopefully won’t deter them from enjoying New Year’s Eve fireworks.
However, Gulf Coast meteorologist Lauren Hope cautioned that the cold fronts, while bringing low humidity, also increase fire danger.
“And unfortunately, these cold fronts, we love them. It feels fantastic. Finally, there is low humidity, but it brings in all the ingredients for fire danger,” she said.
As the cold weather sets in, residents are reminded to check their tire pressure, as the cold can cause tires to deflate, and to be prepared for a smell when turning on the heat for the first time.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.