People living in northern Florida can expect temperatures to remain cold at least through Monday night, with National Weather Service (NWS) issuing a freeze warning on Monday afternoon.
Recent freeze warnings across Florida mark a significant shift in the state’s typically mild winter climate, as a cold front driven by Arctic air brings sub-freezing temperatures to the Sunshine State. These low temperatures pose threats to agriculture, sensitive vegetation, outdoor plumbing, and vulnerable populations—underscoring the importance of timely preparedness and action for residents and farmers across the state. Authorities emphasize the potential for crop damage, risks to outdoor animals, and health hazards for the homeless, elderly, and young children during these unusually cold events.
“Appropriate action should be taken to ensure tender vegetation and outdoor pets have adequate protection from the cold temperatures,” NWS Jacksonville said in the freeze warning. “Young children, the elderly and the homeless are especially vulnerable to the cold. Take measures to protect them.”
The NWS offices in Jacksonville and Tallahassee have issued freeze warnings that will go into effect on Monday evening and remain in place through Tuesday morning. Newsweek reached out to both offices by phone for comment.
According to the urgent bulletins, sub-freezing temperatures as low as 23 degrees Fahrenheit are expected in parts of the Florida Panhandle and northern regions. Temperatures as low as 24 degrees Fahrenheit were expected in the Jacksonville forecast region.
Southern Georgia and parts of southeast Alabama, as well as sections of coastal and inland Georgia, are also included in these warnings. Freeze Warnings indicate that temperatures are forecast to fall below 32 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended period, making significant impacts on both residential and commercial crops likely. The NWS specifies that hard freeze conditions, with sustained readings below 28 degrees Fahrenheit, can kill most vegetation if prolonged.
The freeze warnings advise residents to protect tender plants and provide for outdoor pets. The NWS cautions that young children, the elderly, and unsheltered individuals face increased risks from cold exposure and urges protection for outdoor plumbing, which may be susceptible to bursting in freezing conditions. Recommendations include wrapping exposed pipes, draining sprinkler systems, and allowing faucets to drip slowly overnight.
Looking further out, Florida and much of the rest of the U.S. have a high chance of above-average temperatures according to outlooks from the NWS Climate Prediction Center. The eight-to-14-day temperature outlooks show that the Florida panhandle has a 70 to 80 percent chance of above-average temperatures, with the rest of the state facing a 50 to 70 percent chance. The outlook is valid from December 23 to 29.