JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 I hope you bundled up this morning, because we went from being the warmest state in the country yesterday to facing one of the coldest wake-ups in Jacksonville on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Temperatures dropped to around 32 degrees, and with those high winds, it feels even worse\u2014like you\u2019re standing out there in the 20s. This isn\u2019t just uncomfortable, it\u2019s dangerous. I don\u2019t say that lightly.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a Freeze Warning out for everyone in our area, thanks to a cold front that finally made its way here after stirring up snow elsewhere. The Freeze Warning is set to expire by 10 a.m., but you\u2019ll still want to be careful even later in the morning.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re near the coast, temperatures might be a hair above freezing, but the wind chill has all of us feeling pretty much the same\u2014cold, cold, cold.<\/p>\n
Cold sticks around all week<\/p>\n
I wish I could tell you there\u2019s a big warm up on the way, but it\u2019s just not in the cards. Lows in the 20s and 30s are expected all the way through the weekend.<\/p>\n
When the kids head out for school, it may show 43 degrees on the thermometer, but it\u2019s going to feel far colder. By 3 p.m., we\u2019re expecting sunshine and milder temps around 50, but mornings are staying brisk.<\/p>\n
Looking further out, not much changes by Friday. So plan for more chilly mornings and to keep grabbing that extra sweater.<\/p>\n
Protect kids, pets, and plants<\/p>\n
My top concern right now is for the kids at the bus stops. Make sure they have everything\u2014hand warmers, gloves, scarves. If they\u2019re out too long, it could become a health issue.<\/p>\n
And don\u2019t forget your pets. Limit how long they\u2019re outside this week. If you didn\u2019t get your plants covered last night, I\u2019m sorry\u2014they\u2019re probably not going to make it.<\/p>\n
Pipes should already be protected, but keep an eye out just in case. And if you\u2019re thinking about a fire pit, don\u2019t. It\u2019s way too dry right now\u2014for your safety, use your fireplace instead.<\/p>\n
Please check in on your neighbors too. We all need a little extra warmth when it gets this cold.<\/p>\n