Tallahassee, Florida – A powerful Arctic front is expected to move through North Florida this weekend, bringing dangerous wind chills, strong winds, and hard freeze conditions that could impact travel, utilities, and exposed property.
According to the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, northwest winds will increase Saturday morning ahead of the coldest air mass the region has seen in several years. Sustained winds of 20 to 25 mph with gusts between 30 and 40 mph are expected, particularly along and south of Interstate 10, including coastal communities. These winds may lead to spotty power outages and hazardous marine conditions.
The coldest conditions are forecast Sunday morning, when wind chill values drop into the single digits, with some areas seeing apparent temperatures as low as 10 to 15 degrees. If winds are stronger than currently expected, brief sub-zero wind chills could occur in exposed locations. With these conditions, frostbite can develop on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
Temperatures Saturday night and Sunday night are expected to fall into the mid to upper teens, prompting a hard freeze across much of the region. The NWS warns this could result in burst unprotected pipes and damage to sensitive vegetation.
Light snow is possible Saturday night across far northeast portions of the forecast area north of U.S. Highway 82, though probabilities remain low at 5 to 15 percent, and no accumulation is expected.
The cold outbreak is especially relevant for commuters, outdoor workers, students, and vulnerable populations traveling or exposed during early morning hours.
Residents are urged to protect people, pets, plants, and pipes, and to stay informed as conditions evolve through the weekend.
