A late season blast of cold air sent South Floridians scrambling for sweaters and blankets as their temperatures dipped into the low 50s.

At 7 a.m. Thursday, Miami’s temperature was 52 degrees. And National Weather Service forecasters said the temperatures would struggle to reach the mid-70s later in the day. Earlier this week, the region basked in sun and temperatures soared into the mid-80s.

In Key West, the temperature dipped to 59 degrees early Thursday.

Forecasters say the temperatures should gradually rise over several days with highs in the 80s returning by Sunday. The average low temperature this time of year in South Florida is around 62 degrees.

The cold front dipped temperatures in central Florida into the 40s.

South Florida faces yet another chilly night in the 50s Thursday.

(AP)