You’ve probably seen the postcards. Blue skies, palm trees, and people in flip-flops. But if you’re looking at the 7 day forecast for orlando florida right now, specifically for this second week of January 2026, those postcards are lying to you just a little bit.
Central Florida is currently staring down a massive cold front. It's the kind of weather shift that makes locals dig through their garages for space heaters while tourists stand in the middle of Main Street, U.S.A., shivering in $75 Mickey Mouse hoodies they didn't want to buy.
The Current State of the 7 day forecast for orlando florida
Honestly, today—Tuesday, January 13—is the last "normal" day you're going to get for a while. We're sitting at a high of 72°F, which feels great, but the clouds are already moving in. If you're heading out to dinner tonight, bring a jacket. It's going to drop to 54°F with some light rain rolling through late.
Things get weird on Wednesday. We're looking at a high of 67°F, but the humidity is going to be high, and there's a 45% chance of rain in the evening. It’s that damp, "gets in your bones" kind of Florida cold.
Then comes Thursday. Thursday is the day the front really hits.
The high is only 59°F, but here’s the kicker: the low is going to plummet to 37°F. That is not a typo. We’re talking wind speeds around 17 mph from the northwest. If you’re at a theme park waiting for fireworks, you aren't just going to be "cool." You’re going to be freezing.
The Mid-Week Deep Freeze (January 15 - 16)
By Friday, the rain clears out, which is the good news. The bad news? It stays cold.
We’re looking at another high of 59°F and a low of 37°F. Sunny skies won't help much when the air itself feels like a refrigerator. The City of Orlando has actually started opening cold weather shelters at places like the Barnett Park gym because these temperatures are genuinely dangerous for people without heat.
If you are staying in a vacation rental, check your thermostat now. Don't wait until 2:00 AM to realize you don't know how to turn on the heat.
What the Weekend Looks Like
Saturday, January 17, starts to show some mercy.
The high bumps up to 68°F. It’ll be partly sunny, which is basically the "Goldilocks" zone for walking around Disney or Universal. You won't sweat through your shirt, but you won't need a parka either.
Sunday dips back down slightly to a high of 64°F and a low of 41°F. It’s still significantly cooler than the January average of 71°F. Basically, the entire 7 day forecast for orlando florida for this week is running about 10 degrees below what most people expect when they book a trip to the Sunshine State.
Monday and Tuesday (January 19-20) keep the trend alive:
- Monday: Sunny, High 61°F, Low 41°F.
- Tuesday: Mostly Sunny, High 56°F, Low 41°F.
This is a prolonged cold snap. Usually, these fronts blow through in 48 hours. This one is parking itself over I-4 and staying for a while.
Why Central Florida Weather Is So Bi-Polar in January
Meteorologist David Nazario recently pointed out that a trough from eastern Canada is essentially "reaching down" to grab Florida. It happens almost every January, but the timing is always what catches people off guard.
Last week, we were hitting record highs in the 80s. Now? We're looking at frost warnings in the suburbs like Lake Mary and Clermont.
The lack of rainfall is also a factor. Florida is currently in a building drought, which means the air is drier. Dry air heats up fast in the sun but loses that heat the second the sun goes down. That’s why you see a 25-degree swing between 3:00 PM and 8:00 PM.
Real Talk: How to Surive the Parks This Week
If you’re one of the thousands of people here for a vacation, stop looking at the "High" temperature and start looking at the "Low."
Most people leave their hotel at 8:00 AM and don't come back until 10:00 PM. During those hours, you will experience a 30-degree temperature variance.
Wear layers. Start with a t-shirt, add a long-sleeve flannel or hoodie, and bring a windbreaker. The wind is what kills you in Orlando. Those wide-open spaces in Epcot or the lagoon at Universal's Islands of Adventure turn into wind tunnels.
Also, don't bother with the hotel pool on Thursday or Friday unless it's heavily heated. Even then, the walk back to your room in 40-degree air while wet is a special kind of misery.
Actionable Tips for This Forecast
Check your flight status if you're leaving toward the end of the week. While Florida doesn't get snow, the heavy winds on Thursday can sometimes lead to delays at MCO.
If you're a local, it's time to bring the plants inside. Anything tropical—hibiscus, small palms, or those succulents on your porch—will likely get "burned" by the 37-degree lows on Thursday and Friday nights.
Your Immediate To-Do List:
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- Pack a real coat: Not a light sweater. A real jacket.
- Download a radar app: The rain on Wednesday will be "spotty," meaning it hits one street and misses the next.
- Cover your pipes: If you're in an older home in North Orlando, a quick wrap on outdoor spigots isn't a bad idea for Thursday night.
- Buy hand warmers: They are cheap at Publix or Walmart and will make those 7:00 AM rope drops much more bearable.
The 7 day forecast for orlando florida shows that winter has finally arrived in the tropics. It won't last forever—the long-range models suggest a return to the 70s by the following weekend—but for now, swap the sunscreen for a scarf.