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Central Florida’s Record-Breaking Return of 80-Degree Weather: The Latest for 2025

Central Florida’s Record-Breaking Return of 80-Degree Weather: The Latest for 2025

Sandy Staggs

ORLANDO, Fla. – Central Florida is finally experiencing a long-awaited return to warmer temperatures after a prolonged cold stretch. A massive arctic blast earlier this season brought Siberian air across the region, pushing temperatures to sub-freezing levels. The cold weather lasted for weeks, leaving Floridians bundled up as daytime highs struggled to break 50°F.

But after several days of unseasonably chilly temperatures, the weather is now on the rebound. In just 24 hours, the region jumped from some of the coldest temperatures of the season into the 60s and 70s. And it’s not stopping there – according to the Pinpoint Weather App, 80-degree temperatures will make a return as soon as Friday afternoon.

This marks a significant moment for the area: not only is it the first 80-degree day of 2025, but it’s also the latest the region has seen such warm weather in years. Never before has it taken this long for Central Florida to warm up after the winter months.

In fact, it’s breaking a record. So far, 2025 has seen temperatures struggle to reach the 80-degree mark, and it wasn’t until the end of January that the warmth made its comeback.

Washington State's ambitious $45 million Electric Vehicle (EV) Instant Rebate Program, aimed at making EVs more affordable and reducing carbon emissions, has been criticized for not meeting expectations. A recent policy brief by the Washington Policy Center (WPC) revealed that the program did not deliver the promised environmental benefits or provide much assistance to middle-income earners. The program, which was launched by the Washington State Department of Commerce, promised up to $9,000 off the lease of a new EV for low-income drivers. The state claimed that this rebate would make EV leases affordable, potentially bringing payments down to under $200 per month – far below the average $700 monthly payment for a gas-powered vehicle. However, after analyzing vehicle registration data for the two-and-a-half months the program was active, experts concluded that the program fell short of its goals. Failure to Meet Expectations Todd Myers, Vice President for Research at WPC, expressed disappointment with the outcome during an interview with The Center Square. He explained that the program was expected to increase sales of EVs and plug-in hybrid vehicles by about 8,700 units. In reality, it achieved only half of that target, with only around 4,800 vehicles sold through the rebate program. Myers pointed out that the environmental impact was minimal, saying, “For $45 million, we reduced emissions by just 0.03%. That’s virtually nothing for taxpayer money.” Despite the high cost of the program, the actual CO2 emissions reduction was almost negligible. Program Favors Higher-Income Earners One of the program's main goals was to provide assistance to low- and middle-income residents, making EVs accessible to those who traditionally struggle to afford them. However, data revealed that this was not the case. Before the rebates were introduced in August, the average income of individuals buying cars in the participating ZIP codes was around $122,000. After the program started, this dropped slightly to $118,000, indicating that the rebates were largely claimed by individuals with relatively high incomes. “The same people who were buying electric vehicles before the subsidies were still the ones purchasing them during the rebate period,” Myers said. “They’re certainly not poor.” Unintended Beneficiaries: Wealthy Buyers The WPC report highlighted that the rebate program disproportionately benefited wealthier buyers, particularly those purchasing popular models like the Tesla Model 3. Tesla sales more than doubled during the subsidy period compared to 2024 sales before the rebates. For example, buyers could receive $9,000 from Washington State, and an additional $7,500 from the federal government, totaling $16,500 in taxpayer-funded subsidies. While these subsidies may have made EVs more affordable for some buyers, they did not help to significantly shift the market toward low-income individuals. Myers called this outcome a waste of taxpayer money, especially considering that the program fell far short of its environmental goals. A Step Backward for Environmental Goals? The WPC’s analysis also pointed out that while the EV market in Washington State did see growth, it wasn't as significant as hoped. By October, EVs and plug-in hybrids accounted for just 21.8% of new vehicle sales in Washington, a slight increase over the 2023 level of 20.5%. This falls well short of the 35% target for 2026. Andrew Wineke, Deputy Communications Director for the Washington Department of Ecology, defended the program, pointing out that Washington is a national leader in the transition to clean vehicles. He noted that more than 200,000 zero-emission vehicles are now on the road in the state, with a 30% increase in sales over the past year. Wineke further stated that the rebates are just one tool in a larger strategy to accelerate the adoption of clean vehicles. The state's zero-emission vehicle regulations are expected to continue driving progress toward their long-term targets. What’s Next for EV Programs in Washington? Despite the program's shortcomings, Governor Jay Inslee's outgoing budget proposal included a request for an additional $82 million to extend and expand the EV rebate program for the current biennium. The question remains whether the new administration, under Gov. Bob Ferguson, will continue this initiative. The Center Square reached out to Gov. Ferguson's office for comment, but no response was received at the time of publication. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how Washington will adjust its strategy to meet the state’s environmental and economic goals.
Washington State’s ambitious $45 million Electric Vehicle (EV) Instant Rebate Program, aimed at making EVs more affordable and reducing carbon emissions, has been criticized for not meeting expectations. A recent policy brief by the Washington Policy Center (WPC) revealed that the program did not deliver the promised environmental benefits or provide much assistance to middle-income earners.

A Dramatic Shift in Weather Patterns

The jet stream, which had been pushing frigid arctic air into the region, has calmed down. This shift has allowed warmer temperatures to sweep in from the south. The current “zonal” flow, where the jet stream moves west to east, has reduced the chances of another significant cold outbreak. This means that warmer weather should continue for the foreseeable future, making the 80s feel like the new normal.

For the time being, Florida will enjoy warmer and slightly more humid conditions, thanks to the steady jet stream flow. The arctic air that caused the recent cold spell isn’t likely to return anytime soon, as the jet stream pattern remains stable.

What Does the Future Hold?

Washington State's ambitious $45 million Electric Vehicle (EV) Instant Rebate Program, aimed at making EVs more affordable and reducing carbon emissions, has been criticized for not meeting expectations. A recent policy brief by the Washington Policy Center (WPC) revealed that the program did not deliver the promised environmental benefits or provide much assistance to middle-income earners. The program, which was launched by the Washington State Department of Commerce, promised up to $9,000 off the lease of a new EV for low-income drivers. The state claimed that this rebate would make EV leases affordable, potentially bringing payments down to under $200 per month – far below the average $700 monthly payment for a gas-powered vehicle. However, after analyzing vehicle registration data for the two-and-a-half months the program was active, experts concluded that the program fell short of its goals. Failure to Meet Expectations Todd Myers, Vice President for Research at WPC, expressed disappointment with the outcome during an interview with The Center Square. He explained that the program was expected to increase sales of EVs and plug-in hybrid vehicles by about 8,700 units. In reality, it achieved only half of that target, with only around 4,800 vehicles sold through the rebate program. Myers pointed out that the environmental impact was minimal, saying, “For $45 million, we reduced emissions by just 0.03%. That’s virtually nothing for taxpayer money.” Despite the high cost of the program, the actual CO2 emissions reduction was almost negligible. Program Favors Higher-Income Earners One of the program's main goals was to provide assistance to low- and middle-income residents, making EVs accessible to those who traditionally struggle to afford them. However, data revealed that this was not the case. Before the rebates were introduced in August, the average income of individuals buying cars in the participating ZIP codes was around $122,000. After the program started, this dropped slightly to $118,000, indicating that the rebates were largely claimed by individuals with relatively high incomes. “The same people who were buying electric vehicles before the subsidies were still the ones purchasing them during the rebate period,” Myers said. “They’re certainly not poor.” Unintended Beneficiaries: Wealthy Buyers The WPC report highlighted that the rebate program disproportionately benefited wealthier buyers, particularly those purchasing popular models like the Tesla Model 3. Tesla sales more than doubled during the subsidy period compared to 2024 sales before the rebates. For example, buyers could receive $9,000 from Washington State, and an additional $7,500 from the federal government, totaling $16,500 in taxpayer-funded subsidies. While these subsidies may have made EVs more affordable for some buyers, they did not help to significantly shift the market toward low-income individuals. Myers called this outcome a waste of taxpayer money, especially considering that the program fell far short of its environmental goals. A Step Backward for Environmental Goals? The WPC’s analysis also pointed out that while the EV market in Washington State did see growth, it wasn't as significant as hoped. By October, EVs and plug-in hybrids accounted for just 21.8% of new vehicle sales in Washington, a slight increase over the 2023 level of 20.5%. This falls well short of the 35% target for 2026. Andrew Wineke, Deputy Communications Director for the Washington Department of Ecology, defended the program, pointing out that Washington is a national leader in the transition to clean vehicles. He noted that more than 200,000 zero-emission vehicles are now on the road in the state, with a 30% increase in sales over the past year. Wineke further stated that the rebates are just one tool in a larger strategy to accelerate the adoption of clean vehicles. The state's zero-emission vehicle regulations are expected to continue driving progress toward their long-term targets. What’s Next for EV Programs in Washington? Despite the program's shortcomings, Governor Jay Inslee's outgoing budget proposal included a request for an additional $82 million to extend and expand the EV rebate program for the current biennium. The question remains whether the new administration, under Gov. Bob Ferguson, will continue this initiative. The Center Square reached out to Gov. Ferguson's office for comment, but no response was received at the time of publication. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how Washington will adjust its strategy to meet the state’s environmental and economic goals.
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Looking ahead, Florida’s weather will stay warmer than usual, with temperatures expected to remain in the upper 70s and low 80s for at least the next 10 days. While cooler air may make an occasional appearance, the extreme winter conditions that earlier plagued the region are not expected to return.

In fact, predictions show that Florida will follow a La Niña-esque pattern throughout February. This means the jet stream will remain north of the state, allowing warmer air to continue holding steady in the region. The biggest concern moving forward will be drought conditions, as warmer, drier weather may lead to a drying of the soil, which could impact gardens and lawns.

The Outlook for the Rest of Winter

The long-range forecast from the Climate Prediction Center suggests that warm temperatures will continue across Florida and much of the southeastern U.S. With the potential for dry conditions, it’s important for residents to keep an eye on their local weather and prepare for possible drought-like conditions in the coming weeks.

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Though the threat of another arctic blast appears minimal, Floridians can expect a more typical winter in the months to come, characterized by mild temperatures and occasional cold fronts. It’s a welcome relief after the dramatic winter chill that left its mark on Central Florida in early 2025.

Disclaimer – Our team has carefully fact-checked this article to make sure it’s accurate and free from any misinformation. We’re dedicated to keeping our content honest and reliable for our readers.

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