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Tag: Meteorologist Mallory Nicholls

  • Only in Florida: Watch for falling iguanas next week

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    A strong cold front will push all the way into Florida early next week, bringing the potential for some record cold temperatures. Along with the potential for the first frost and freeze for many, there is another hazard you may have to look out for — falling iguanas. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Iguanas are spotted as far north as Central Florida

    • They can freeze in temperatures as high as 50 degrees

    • Falling iguanas can be a hazard for bypassers


    Iguanas are native to southern Mexico, central Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and parts of the Caribbean. With human help, iguanas were first introduced to the United States in 1966.

    They either hopped aboard a boat coming to the U.S. or were brought in as pets and have since become an invasive species over the years. There’s a reason these large lizards live mainly in tropical climates.

    Being cold-blooded, iguanas cannot survive in colder climates and typically stay in south Florida or the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. They have been spotted recently, however, in Central Florida.

    With a warmer-than-average summer, iguanas may have been able to migrate a little further north than usual. This could become a problem this winter as temperatures drop.

    Thanks to a strong cold front bringing some early cold next week, cold air will surge into Florida, where temperatures are expected to drop into the 30s and 40s. 

    These cold-blooded reptiles start to freeze and become sluggish with temperatures only as low as 50 degrees.

    As temperatures continue to fall, they become paralyzed. If this occurs while they are up in a tree, it’s hazardous to unaware passersby below, as the heavy lizards lose their grip and fall from their perches.

    In the past, the National Weather Service in Miami issued a “falling iguana” warning to residents when temperatures dropped into the 40s. 

    Earlier this year, a cold snap in South Florida caused iguanas to freeze. Here’s a video of one in North Miami Beach falling from a tree.


    If you happen upon an immobile iguana, it’s best to keep your distance. Once they thaw out, they can become aggressive and bite or scratch.

    Iguanas over two feet will typically survive a short-lived cold snap. If the cold persists, or if the iguana is smaller, they can have lasting effects or even end up dying.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

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    Meteorologist Mallory Nicholls, Spectrum News Weather Staff

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  • PHOTOS: Protesters gather across Central Florida for nationwide demonstration

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    ORLANDO, Fla. — Thousands of protests took place nationwide Saturday in what organizers called “No Kings Day.”

    The protests come in response to President Donald Trump’s military birthday parade. 

    Organizers said they want to defend democracy. Several people rallied in cities across Central Florida to participate in the demonstrations.

    Take a look at our photo gallery below:

    One demonstration got underway in Orlando late Saturday afternoon.

    “This is time for us to come together as a country and we need to heal, we need to work together,” attendee Sandra Henry said.

    Also part of the crowd, Democratic State Representative Anna Eskamani of Orange County.

    “The energy is wonderful,” she said. “I mean this is such a reflection of who we are as central Floridians.”

    Eskamani also said she is using this time to enhance voter registration efforts.

    Other cities in Central Florida also saw demonstrations, including where Casselberry hundreds of people showed up Saturday morning.

    “There are more of us than there are of them,” attendee Beth Reeser said.

    The Orlando demonstration is expected to run until 7:30 p.m.

    As those protests took place, supporters of President Trump came together to celebrate Flag Day, as well as President Trump’s 79th birthday.

    “I just believe that we should be out here showing support for our president, because a nation divided cannot stand, that is Abraham Lincoln’s words,” Madeira Beach resident Matthew Harris said. “I’m a good conservative. I don’t call myself Republican, I don’t call myself anything. I’m a patriot, whoever is good for our country, that’s who I vote for.”

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    Devin Martin, Spectrum News Staff, Meteorologist Mallory Nicholls, Curtis McCloud

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  • Only in Florida: Watch for falling iguanas this winter

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    With colder air across much of the U.S., including Florida, there’s one hazard you may not have considered: falling iguanas. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Iguanas are spotted as far north as Central Florida

    • They can freeze in temperatures as high as 50 degrees

    • Falling iguanas can be a hazard for bypassers


    Iguanas are native to southern Mexico, central Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and parts of the Caribbean. With human help, iguanas were first introduced to the United States in 1966.

    They either hopped aboard a boat coming to the U.S. or were brought in as pets and have since become an invasive species over the years. There’s a reason these large lizards live mainly in tropical climates.

    Being cold-blooded, iguanas cannot survive in colder climates and typically stay in south Florida or the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. They have been spotted recently, however, in Central Florida.

    With a warmer-than-average summer, iguanas may have been able to migrate a little further north than usual. This could become a problem this winter as temperatures drop.

    Thanks to the polar vortex shifting south, cold air has surged into southern Florida, where temperatures are expected to drop into the 30s inland and 40s along the coast. This includes Miami, where the iguana population is high.

    Pictures began circulating on social media of immobile iguanas lying belly-up. These reptiles start to freeze and become sluggish with temperatures only as low as 50 degrees.

    As temperatures continue to fall, they become paralyzed. If this occurs while they are up in a tree, it’s hazardous to unaware passersby below, as the heavy lizards lose their grip and fall from their perches.

    In the past, the National Weather Service in Miami issued a “falling iguana” warning to residents when temperatures dropped into the 40s. 

    If you happen upon an immobile iguana, it’s best to keep your distance. Once they thaw out, they can become aggressive and bite or scratch.

    Iguanas over two feet will typically survive a short-lived cold snap. If the cold persists, or if the iguana is smaller, they can have lasting effects or even end up dying.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

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    Meteorologist Stacy Lynn, Meteorologist Mallory Nicholls

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  • How to understand tornadoes and stay safe

    How to understand tornadoes and stay safe

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    Not every thunderstorm spawns a tornado, but when they do, the strong rotating wind can really wreak havoc. So what causes a tornado to form?

    There are multiple variables that go into the development of a tornado that are not available in every storm.

    What You Need To Know

    • About 1,200 tornadoes hit the U.S. each year

    • There are different tornado seasons for different regions

    • Tornadoes are classified on the EF (Enhanced Fujita) scale

    What is a Tornado?

    A tornado is a violently rotating funnel of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground.  Sometimes a tornado can be confused with a hurricane, which is also a rotating storm, but on a larger and slower scale. Tornadoes are narrow and faster, making them much harder to prepare for and take cover.  

    Where Tornadoes Occur

    According to the National Severe Storms Laboratory, about 1200 tornadoes hit the United States yearly and can occur in all 50 states.

    They are more common along the Gulf Coast in early spring, May through June for the southern plains, and June through July for the northern plains and upper Midwest.

    The reason for the higher frequency during these months is because conditions for tornado development are more common. Conditions include an unstable atmosphere, sufficient moisture, and sufficient vertical wind shear, which is the change in wind speed and direction as it rises.

    These conditions are typically found along a boundary, such as a cold front, dryline, or sea breeze.

    These boundaries indicate an area where cold and warm or moist and dry air masses meet. This will cause air to rise and thunderstorms to form. If the vertical wind shear is then present, the thunderstorm will start to rotate and a tornado can spin down to the surface.

    Determining the Tornado Classification

    Tornadoes can come in all shapes, sizes, and strengths. It’s not until a tornado has weakened that a determination can be made on how strong it was.

    This is different than a hurricane that immediately gets ranked a category 1-5 based on wind speed. The EF Scale (Enhanced Fujita) is based on the damage that the tornado caused and can be as weak as an EF-0 or as strong as an EF-5.  

    No matter the strength of the tornado, it is important to take cover when a warning is issued.

    A warning means that a tornado is likely occurring and you’ll need to get to your safe spot immediately.

    How to Stay Safe During a Warning

    Safe locations include a basement or an inside room without windows on the lowest floor. Try and grab something to protect your head from falling debris, like a helmet, and wait for the threat to completely pass before leaving.

    Remember that tornadoes can occur at any time of year and during the day or night.

    If the ingredients are there, a spin-up may occur fast, so it’s important to have a way to be alerted wherever you are. If a warning is issued, have a plan in place to quickly respond and get yourself to safety.

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    Meteorologist Mallory Nicholls

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