Gainesville, FL – A widespread freeze is set to impact north Florida and southeast Georgia overnight, with temperatures dropping below freezing and putting plants, pets, and vulnerable populations at risk before sunrise Wednesday.
According to the National Weather Service in Jacksonville, a Freeze Warning is in effect from 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. Wednesday across inland northeast and north-central Florida, including Gainesville, Ocala, Lake City, and Starke. Temperatures are expected to fall as low as 29 degrees in parts of southeast Georgia and northern Florida, with areas around Alachua and Marion counties closer to 31 degrees.
The coldest conditions will develop between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m., especially in rural and inland locations where winds remain light and skies stay clear. Areas such as Gilchrist, Bradford, and Suwannee counties face the highest risk of widespread frost and freezing temperatures.
Residents are urged to cover sensitive plants, bring pets indoors, and check on elderly or vulnerable neighbors. Outdoor pipes should be insulated or allowed to drip to prevent freezing.
Temperatures will rebound quickly after sunrise Wednesday, but additional cold mornings remain possible, and further advisories could be issued across the region.
