Florida may see its chilliest Christmas in two decades

We can only ever dream of a white Christmas down here in South Florida, but this year we may get about as close to a winter wonderland as Mother Nature allows along the 26th parallel.

Brace for what could be the coldest Christmas in 21 years.

After a Christmas Eve day near 80 degrees, temperatures are forecast to take a tumble overnight into the 40s in some inland areas and 50s along the coast. Christmas Day temperatures will get to around 60 degrees — the coldest in Miami since 1999, according to the National Weather Service.

And it only gets worse from there — or better, if you prefer walkin’ in a Florida-style winter wonderland.

Low temperatures on Christmas night and Saturday morning could dip into the 30s in some areas, and the 40s on the coast. With the wind, everyone will feel like it’s in the 30s.

“It’s not going to be record-setting,” National Weather Service meteorologist Steven Ippoliti said, noting the record low for Christmas Day in Fort Lauderdale was 29 degrees in 1989. “But it is colder than normal.”

It’s another December cold front, the fourth of the month to usher in cool air. This one will be fueled by a low pressure system moving down from the northern plains beginning Thursday. There’s a possibility of a few strong thunderstorms Thursday afternoon ahead of the front.

Don’t miss the chance to don some mittens and scarves: the chilly air will gradually move out over the weekend. More seasonal feelings return in the first half of next week with highs in the mid to upper 70s and lows in the 50s and 60s.

Last year’s high temperature on Christmas was 79 degrees with a low of 61.