Did you leave the door open when you came down? :)

Typical for "north central" Florida. If one is looking for warm temps for say 360 days per year....you would need to head down South Florida. We moved up here after over 25 years in South Florida. On many occasions there can be a 15 to 20 degree difference on the "colder" side. For example, as I type this it's 53 in TV and 69 in Coral Springs where we came up from.

Wow. Have not seen any snow here, but have seen hail twice.

Definitely have had to cover some outside plants, as the temps dipped below 20 at night too many times.

Yes indeed, central Florida is not that warm in the winter. Pockets of cold that can last for a night or two, or a week.

I have been here three years and used to live just down the road from you in Highland, IL and believe me the winters are SO MUCH BETTER! This is just a temporary cold snap. Like when it would occasionally get to ZERO back home.

Ahhhh, but try to buy a snow shovel here....... I don't love this cold, but at least its not snowing...... and won't.

Weather
 

It is winter and it gets cold a few days, then back to 70's. December to February is like fall weather. Other 9 months is summer. Enjoy! We're from New England so this is awesome . No snow or ice.

Won’t have wait for July it will be plenty warm by March 1st.

What I have found it feels colder when cool and hotter when hot. It can get well below freezing for couple days and then it warms up.

It's always good to get some crisp cooling air here, but in a few days it goes back up to normal temps of about 71 this time of year as it is today. January is the only time where you might get 2 weeks of cold, but sun and no wind makes it reasonable. Enjoy our great state!

I lived there for several years but I am originally from Virginia Beach. When I first moved to the St. Louis area, I thought that the snow was fun. Lol.

I’m enjoying my time in Florida very much and we’re busy getting our house ready for Christmas visitors but we’re also digging out our hats and mittens!

Thanks again for the lovely comments.

Hi, it is colder in North Central Florida. We are from SE Florida for over 56 years. Only 2 years here. We average 10 to even 15 degrees colder than South Florida. I check the difference daily.
In the summer, our heat index is about 7 degrees lower. Humidity always a bit lower here.

So Winters worse, summers better. However, the lightning here is serious. Consider installing a lightning rod.

P.s. no iguanas or pythons here unlike S. Fl.

Coming from 27 years in St. Pete and Sarasota, my wife and I had serious conversations about whether the Villages would be too cold for us! We're surviving it...

Typical winters in northern and central Florida include about two weeks with lows near or just below freezing. The rest of the time lows are generally in the 40’s or 50’s with highs in the 60’s or 70’s. It stays a little more constant near the coast, as the ocean moderates the temperature. As far as getting used to it, we lived in Edmonton, Alberta for a few years—people would put on the winter coats when it hit the 40’s in the fall/winter transition, then would break out the shorts and tee shirts when it hit about 35 in the spring.

The last few days are somewhat colder than usual, but are not uncommon (if that makes sense). You might want to have a sweater or light jacket handy for the mornings and evenings. My wife thinks of these days as she does of the temperatures in the air-conditioned stores and restaurants where she is always freezing!

Be thankful you have escaped from Illinois with its terrible government and outrageous taxes. Not paying a state income tax is like getting a raise. Not being controlled by the political machine in Chicago is a blessing.

If you want a break from our winter season, take a cruise out of Port Canaveral. They're cheap and convenient.

Temperatures
 

I have been in The Villages the last 11 years. The temperatures aren’t unusual for December. It sort of stays this way until March. We moved here from Miami, Fl which is a sub-tropical climate and cold days like we are having recently happen around 5 days of the winter season. It is usually in the 70s there.