Jacksonville, Florida – Residents across northeast Florida have hours to prepare before temperatures drop to 26 degrees after midnight, cold enough to freeze exposed pipes and damage sensitive plants by daybreak Tuesday.
According to the National Weather Service in Jacksonville, a Cold Weather Advisory remains in effect from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday, with wind chills falling to 23 degrees across inland and coastal communities. A Freeze Warning then begins at midnight and continues until 9 a.m. Tuesday, when lows could reach 26 degrees. A second Cold Weather Advisory from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. Tuesday will push wind chills down to 20 degrees.
The warning covers a broad stretch of north and northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Gainesville, St. Augustine, Lake City, Palatka, Ocala, Fernandina Beach and Palm Coast. Inland areas of Marion, Columbia and Alachua counties face the highest freeze risk, while coastal Duval and St. Johns counties will still see sub-freezing readings in sheltered spots.
Residents should wrap outdoor pipes, cover tender vegetation and bring pets inside before midnight. Check on elderly neighbors and use space heaters safely. Anyone without adequate heat can call 211 for shelter options.
Freeze conditions are expected to ease after 9 a.m. Tuesday, but additional cold alerts could be issued if clear skies persist into midweek.
