Jacksonville, Florida – Bitter cold will grip northeast Florida and southeast Georgia tonight, putting pets, pipes, and people at risk as temperatures plunge well below freezing before daybreak Monday. A hard freeze is expected across the region, with lows dropping as cold as 21 degrees inland and wind chills sinking to near 15 degrees.
According to the National Weather Service in Jacksonville, a Freeze Warning and Cold Weather Advisory remain in effect from 7 p.m. Sunday through 10 a.m. Monday for much of northeast Florida and southeast Georgia, including Duval, Clay, Alachua, Putnam, Marion, Nassau, St. Johns, Suwannee, and Columbia counties, along with inland and coastal communities across southeast Georgia.
Jacksonville, Gainesville, Ocala, Palatka, St. Augustine, Fernandina Beach, Lake City, Waycross, Brunswick, and St. Simons Island will all see freezing or near-freezing temperatures overnight. Exposed pipes could freeze, unprotected plants may be damaged or killed, and outdoor pets face serious danger if left outside. Cold wind chills increase the risk of hypothermia, especially for children, older adults, and those without adequate shelter.
Residents are urged to bring pets indoors, cover tender vegetation, and allow faucets to drip slowly to prevent pipe damage. Use space heaters safely and check on vulnerable neighbors. Warnings remain in effect through Monday morning, and additional cold-related advisories could follow if temperatures remain low into early next week.
