Jacksonville, FL – A Freeze Watch has been issued for northeast Florida and southeast Georgia, as temperatures are expected to plunge into the upper 20s late Monday night through early Tuesday morning, marking one of the coldest mornings so far this season.
According to the National Weather Service in Jacksonville, the watch includes a wide area from Gainesville and Lake City northward to Waycross, Douglas, and Jesup, Georgia. The warning period extends from 1 a.m. to 8 a.m. Tuesday, with subfreezing lows near 27°F possible in rural and inland areas.
Forecasters warn that tender plants, crops, and outdoor pets could be at risk during the overnight freeze. Officials are also reminding residents that children, the elderly, and the homeless are especially vulnerable to cold exposure and should be protected.
Residents are advised to cover plants, wrap outdoor pipes, bring pets indoors, and check on neighbors before temperatures drop Monday night. Calm winds and clear skies are expected to create ideal conditions for rapid cooling and frost formation.
Warmer weather is expected to return by midweek as the cold air mass moves east.
