Blue Springs, FL - Cold weather is bringing plummeting temperatures and a few gentle giants back to the area.
According to John Pendergrast with the National Weather Service in Melbourne, winter is going to be rearing its head early for residents in Volusia County with temperatures tomorrow (November 27th) hitting highs of 60's, and some even lower temperatures in the night and morning.
"There's a cold front that's going to be passing through tomorrow that's going to bring the coldest air of the season so far," Pendergrast said. "We're looking at lows in the 30's Tuesday night and Wednesday night, especially away from the immediate coast."
According to Pendergrast, frost is also possible during the two consecutive nights of cold air on Tuesday and Wednesday (November 27th & 28th), especially in the areas west on I-4, including DeLand.
Pendergrast says this isn't very out of season for Florida, especially as the state enters late November, which is around the time residents expect fall & winter temperatures.
Not only is cold weather headed to Volusia, but with November being Manatee Awareness Month, the gentle giants are expected to make a return to their winter homes around the county.
Ron Mezich, the biological administrator for Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission's Manatee Management Program, says November is the time that cooler weather brings manatees out of the cooler waters and into the warmer waters.
"We get manatees moving in larger numbers through the waterways towards their winter habitats," Mezich said in an interview with WNDB. "We want boaters to be aware that not only is that happening, but the speed zones on some of the waterways change this time of year."
Boaters are asked to slow down and look for the signs of a manatee in the water, which include their usual "tail footprint" which is when you see circular patterns coming up to the surface as they swim. They're also urged to watch out as the manatees come up to breathe.
"We know accidents happen," says Mezich. "If they're in compliance with the speeds zone, the don't have to worry, if they report (injuring a manatee) immediately, we have a chance to maybe rescue and help the animal.
Mezich says that for non-coastal Volusia, Blue Springs is what the manatees consider home in the colder temperatures, calling it the largest congregation of manatees in the county.
