With unexpected cold weather and pandemic-related curfews in places, Florida is about to have a Christmas unlike any other – and could involve the dropping of iguanas.
The National Weather Service warned that South Florida could experience its coldest Christmas day in 21 years, with morning lows at 30s and 40sF (below OC).
“Brrr! A much colder temperature is expected for Christmas, “tweeted the NWS of Miami. “It is possible to drop iguanas.
Because they are cold-blooded, the iguanas that live in the trees of South Florida often remain immobile in cold climates, causing them to fall to the ground, although they are still alive.
In Jacksonville, the temperature was expected to drop from around 80F (26.6C) on Thursday to around 30F on Friday, putting it on the way to be one of the five coldest Christmas days ever recorded, according to the NWS in Jacksonville.
A storm line with strong storms and fast winds was heading for North Florida on Christmas Eve. Across the state, shelters have been opened to welcome people who would otherwise be exposed to the cold, including several churches planning to hold Christmas services.
Many shelters promised social distance and protective equipment to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.
The pandemic was also impacting a Space Coast tradition: Santa Claus Surfing. Usually attracting hundreds of surfers in Santa Claus costumes to Cocoa Beach and thousands of fans, Thursday’s event was moved online. Participants were encouraged to surf or practice rowing and post photos or videos.
Santa Claus got help from a state official. Agriculture commissioner Nikki Fried issued this week “an animal movement certificate”, allowing Santa Claus and his wife, as well as his reindeer, “to enter and leave all homes, homes, camps and facilities in the state of Florida between the hours of 8 pm on December 24 and 7 am on December 25, through or over any border port in the United States. “
“Given the challenges this year, we want to ensure that Santa Claus can travel safely across the state and spread the joy of Christmas to all of Florida’s children,” said Fried.