Tonight’s freeze is not only coming several weeks early, it will likely break several records across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. Temperatures are expected to fall rapidly after sunset this evening, all the way to a low in the lower and middle 20’s for most inland areas by Wednesday morning. A Hard Freeze Warning is in effect for every inland county of Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia, starting at 11pm Tuesday night. The warning also includes the greater Jacksonville metro area and the coastal counties of Duval and Nassau. Temperatures away from the coast and in the warned areas will likely fall below 28 degrees for a period of more than four hours. St. Johns and Flagler counties are under a Freeze Watch, where temperatures will still likely drop below freezing before sunrise Wednesday.
The record lows for November 19 are as follows:
- Jacksonville: 28, set in 2008
- Gainesville: 28, set in 2008
- Waycross: 25, set in 1949
- Brunswick: 31, set in 1951
All of the aforementioned record lows will likely be broken Wednesday morning, with forecast lows ranging from near 20 in Valdosta to about 25 in the greater Jacksonville metro, to near 30 at the beaches.
The following is a safety checklist for residents and business owners to consider by sundown Monday:
- Pets should be brought inside if at all possible.
- Exposed pipes should be insulated with a blanket or sheet.
- Water should be left dripping in faucets to prevent freezing underground.
- Space heaters should not be left unattended and positioned least two feet from any objects on all sides.
- The elderly and young children should not venture out without the proper protection from the cold. Tuesday morning’s wind chills could cause hypothermia or frostbite if exposed for more than 30 minutes.
- Plants, flowers, and any vegetation sensitive to cold should be brought indoors, covered securely, or insulated by water.
You can follow Jeff Huffman on Twitter @huffmanweather.
