ORLANDO, Fla. – December starts off cool in Central Florida as arctic air blows through the region, bringing with it the coldest air of the season.

After a cold and frosty start to Monday, dry weather is expected with north winds around 10-15 mph and gusts up to 20-25 mph.

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Afternoon highs will be cooler than usual, reaching the mid 60s to low 70s under mostly sunny skies.

A large weather system will move across the southeastern United States Tuesday through Wednesday, pushing even more cold air into the region. This keeps things dry and below normal.

Temperatures will drop to between 30 and 40 degrees across the board over the next few nights, with a high risk of frost on Tuesday and Wednesday morning.

The wind could make it feel like the temperature is in the low 30s to mid 40s.

Daytime highs will remain in the low 60s on Tuesday, warming slightly to the mid 60s to low 70s on Wednesday, with mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies.

The combination of dry and windy weather this week also increases the risk of fire. Under these parameters, even the smallest spark could arise and quickly spread a fire.

High pressure will develop from Thursday to Saturday, bringing milder conditions.

By Friday the winds will shift from west to north-northeast. Expect afternoon highs to climb into the low to mid 70s and lows back into the 40s and 50s to start the weekend.

There is a slight chance of rain Friday, especially along the Atlantic Coast and north of I-4.

Be safe out there!