JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – 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.
Temperatures dropped to around 32 degrees, and with those high winds, it feels even worse—like you’re standing out there in the 20s. This isn’t just uncomfortable, it’s dangerous. I don’t say that lightly.
There’s 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’ll still want to be careful even later in the morning.
If you’re near the coast, temperatures might be a hair above freezing, but the wind chill has all of us feeling pretty much the same—cold, cold, cold.
Cold sticks around all week
I wish I could tell you there’s a big warm up on the way, but it’s just not in the cards. Lows in the 20s and 30s are expected all the way through the weekend.
When the kids head out for school, it may show 43 degrees on the thermometer, but it’s going to feel far colder. By 3 p.m., we’re expecting sunshine and milder temps around 65, but mornings are staying brisk.
Looking further out, not much changes by Friday. So plan for more chilly mornings and to keep grabbing that extra sweater.
Protect kids, pets, and plants
My top concern right now is for the kids at the bus stops. Make sure they have everything—hand warmers, gloves, scarves. If they’re out too long, it could become a health issue.
And don’t forget your pets. Limit how long they’re outside this week. If you didn’t get your plants covered last night, I’m sorry—they’re probably not going to make it.
Pipes should already be protected, but keep an eye out just in case. And if you’re thinking about a fire pit, don’t. It’s way too dry right now—for your safety, use your fireplace instead.
Please check in on your neighbors too. We all need a little extra warmth when it gets this cold.
If you’re snapping photos of the frosty mornings or bundled-up family, I’d love to see them! Share them with News4JAX through SnapJAX and you might see your shot on-air.