It’s going to feel a lot more like Christmas than usual when it comes to weather in Southwest Florida this holiday weekend.

The National Weather Service is forecasting lows of 38 degrees on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights in Cape Coral.

“On Friday, a cold front will move south across the state bringing much colder and drier weather to the area,” stated NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin meteorologists in their Thursday afternoon update. “As previously mentioned, this will be a much drier airmass, so no wintry precipitation is expected behind the front. Stout northwesterly winds will also accompany the blast of cold air on Friday. Cold temperatures will remain in place through the holiday weekend.”

While Friday during the day should see mostly sunny conditions around 75 degrees, the night will see temps plummet under 40 degrees in Cape Coral. On Saturday, NWS predicts a high of 52 degrees with a low of 38 at night. On Christmas Day, NWS forecasts a high of 50 degrees with a slight chance of showers and a cloudy evening with a low of 39 degrees.

“Temperatures through the weekend are expected to be in the mid to upper 30s in Cape Coral,” said NWS Meteorologist Maureen O’Leary. “Temperatures are expected to be around 20 degrees below normal.”

She added, “Cool temperatures are expected to last at least until the middle of next week. Then, minimum temperatures are forecast to be in the 50s and 60s again.”

The top three record low temperatures for Christmas Day (recorded at Page Field Airport) are: 28 degrees in 1989, 32 degrees in 1906, and 33 degrees in 1983.

There is a High Rip Current Risk from Friday morning through Saturday evening for Coastal Charlotte-Coastal Hillsborough-Coastal Lee-Coastal Manatee-Coastal Sarasota-Pinellas.

There is a Small Craft Advisory from 10 a.m. today to 1 p.m. Saturday for Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound-Coastal waters from Bonita Beach to Englewood out 20 nautical miles-Tampa Bay waters- Waters from Bonita Beach to Englewood out 20 to 60 NM.

Locally, Lee County Human & Veteran Services and Housing, Outreach and Treatment Teams (HOT Teams) were out Thursday helping individuals who are homeless prepare for the cold.

“This year, the county took a pro-active approach to outreach,” said county spokesperson Betsy Clayton in an email. “HOT Teams spread across the county earlier today to help house those who would accept shelter and provide supplies for those who would be out in the elements.”

There were eight teams out throughout the county Thursday morning serving areas in Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, and other locations.

Teams picked up their supplies around 7:15 a.m. and were ready by 8 a.m. to engage. Clayton said the teams engaged 64 individuals at eight different locations and the provided transportation and shelter to 31 individuals.

“Unfortunately, 33 refused shelter,” Clayton said. “All were provided coffee, blankets and other comfort items.

“The outreach included our Department of Human & Veteran Services and the Center for Progress, which handles referrals to the Bob Janes Empowerment Center in this time of need.”

People who need help can call the county’s Coordinated Entry hotline, which is answered 24/7, at 239-533-7996.