Jacksonville, Florida – A widespread hard freeze is set to grip northeast Florida and southeast Georgia overnight, bringing some of the coldest temperatures of the season and posing risks to people, pets, plants, and plumbing through Friday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Jacksonville, a Freeze Warning is in effect from 11 p.m. Thursday through 9 a.m. Friday for much of northeast and northern Florida, including Duval, St. Johns, Clay, Nassau, Flagler, Putnam, Marion, Alachua, and surrounding counties. A Cold Weather Advisory follows from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. Friday. Temperatures are expected to fall into the mid-20s to near 30 degrees, with some inland locations dipping into the low 20s.
Jacksonville neighborhoods including Riverside, Arlington, San Marco, Oceanway, and Orange Park could see several hours below freezing. Saint Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fernandina Beach, Palm Coast, and inland areas such as Palatka, Ocala, Gainesville, Lake City, and Live Oak are also at risk. Across southeast Georgia, communities including Waycross, Jesup, Kingsland, Brunswick, St. Simons, and Folkston are under a Freeze Warning with lows in the low 20s.
Residents are urged to bring pets indoors, protect sensitive plants, check on vulnerable neighbors, and drip or wrap exposed pipes. Early Friday travel may feel bitterly cold, and layered clothing is strongly recommended. Warnings remain in effect through Friday morning, and additional cold weather alerts could follow if conditions persist.
