An unusually strong surge of Arctic air is spreading across the Gulf Coast and Southeast, prompting widespread freeze watches and cold weather advisories from the Florida Panhandle and south Georgia into central and even interior South Florida, forecasters said Wednesday.
The cold outbreak is expected to bring some of the lowest temperatures of the season to the region, threatening crops, outdoor plumbing and vulnerable populations.
The National Weather Service said overnight lows late Thursday into Friday morning could fall into the low to mid-20s across parts of the Florida Panhandle, Big Bend region, south-central Georgia and southeast Alabama. Temperatures in the upper 20s are forecast across much of north and central Florida, with sub-freezing readings possible as far south as interior sections of South Florida.
Wind chills are expected to drop into the teens and single digits across portions of the northern Gulf Coast, while apparent temperatures could fall into the mid-20s in parts of southern Florida.
Freeze watches are in effect across much of Florida, including the Panhandle, Big Bend, north and central Florida, as well as interior sections of southwest and south-central Florida. Cold weather advisories extend into southern Alabama, southwest Georgia and portions of southern Mississippi.
Forecasters warned the cold could be especially damaging to agriculture, including citrus and other cold-sensitive crops, and could cause damage to unprotected outdoor pipes and irrigation systems. Residents are urged to protect plants, wrap or drain exposed plumbing, and bring pets indoors.
Meteorologists noted the significance of the event lies in how far south the cold air is expected to reach. Freezing temperatures are relatively rare in central and southern Florida, making this outbreak notable for its depth and geographic reach.
The National Weather Service said freeze watches could be upgraded to freeze warnings as confidence increases closer to the event. Residents across the Gulf Coast and Southeast are advised to monitor local forecasts and prepare for hazardous cold conditions.
