Freeze warning brings dangerous cold
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Good morning! This is Meteorologist Katie Garner with The Weather Authority, and I want to talk directly to you about the cold weather gripping Jacksonville right now.
It’s more than a chilly start—it’s dangerous out there. I don’t use that word lightly, but the freeze warning in place for our entire area through 10 a.m. has everyone feeling the impact. The thermometer may barely nudge the freezing mark for some, but that’s only half the story.
Exact Track 4D is showing hard freezes inland and right along the coast, and when I say it’s cold, I mean it’s the kind of cold that can affect your health if you’re not careful.
Wind chills make it feel colder
The actual temperature is just one piece of the puzzle. The big story is the wind chill—what it really feels like when you step outside. Even if you see readings close to 33 or 34 degrees on the coast, those wind chills are pushing the “feels like” temperatures down to the 20s for almost everyone.
Wind gusts are expected in the teens, 20s, and even close to 30 mph. I walked outside early this morning and that blast of wind was a real wake-up call! If you have to head out, know it isn’t just cold, it’s biting cold.
Precautions for kids, pets, and plants
My main concern at 4:50 a.m. today was for kids at the bus stop. It’s one thing for adults—we know to layer up—but little ones need hand warmers, gloves, scarves, and everything you can find. Please bundle them up if they have to be outside this morning.
Don’t forget pets, either. I always recommend you limit their time outdoors during these freezes. Take a quick check of your pipes, too, just in case—they can be at risk on mornings like this.
And for those of you with gardens, I hope you covered your plants before the cold set in. If not, it’s likely they won’t make it after this freeze.
If you see any unusual winter weather sights around your neighborhood this morning, share them with News4JAX through SnapJAX at news4jax.com/snapjax/. We love seeing your photos!