The Polar Plunge forecast cooler than last year

It’s time for the New Year’s tradition of jumping into cold water to mark the start of 2023 and it won’t be as warm as last year.

This year’s Polar Plunge brings a round of mild weather as hundreds of people dip into the chilly 56° Atlantic Ocean.

Sunday, January 1, may have some early showers with clouds. Temperatures are expected to be in the low 60s. A small 2 foot swell may splash cold water on those wading into the surf zone but the current drift will be very minimal this year.

It will be warmer than a typical New Years’ Day but fall short of 2022 which had the warmest plunge on record at Jacksonville Beach at 73°.

Of the past 6 years, four have occurred on days when the temperature eventually reach the low 80s. This year highs are expected to top out in the mid 70s.

The Jacksonville Beach plunge has had only one freeze since the 1990s. The temperature reached 28 on the morning of January 1, 2001.