Ice and frost blanket Jacksonville as residents prepare for winter's chill.
As Jacksonville endures its eighth freeze this winter, temperatures plummet to 28 degrees, prompting a Cold Weather Advisory. With the cold expected to persist, residents are urged to take precautions and utilize warming centers. This freeze presents challenges for the community, but proactive measures can help keep everyone safe as chilling winds blow through the region.
Jacksonville is feeling the chill this week as it experienced its eighth freeze of the winter season on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Early risers woke up to a bone-numbing temperature of 28 degrees that sent everyone reaching for their warmest jackets. While it may not be a winter wonderland, the weather had a serious bite!
Things didn’t warm up much throughout the day, either. The highest temperature barely climbed into the low 50s, making it the coldest afternoon since January 21, 2024, when we only managed to hit a chilly 44 degrees. That’s quite a drop and a stark reminder that winter is still very much here.
This time around, Jacksonville issued a Cold Weather Advisory for the first time, calling attention to the freezing conditions that tend to impact our region during winter. This advisory is a heads-up whenever air temperatures or wind chill values get dangerously low.
Let’s break it down: in the Northeast Florida area, the advisory is activated when wind chill values fall between 16 and 25 degrees. Over in South Georgia, it kicks in when wind chills are between 11 and 20 degrees. For even chillier conditions, an Extreme Cold Warning comes into play, signaling everyone to take cover when wind chills dip below 10 degrees in Georgia and 15 degrees in Northeast Florida.
This advisory marks the debut of the National Weather Service’s new simple winter weather alert system initiated back in October. The system is designed to make it clearer that cold weather can be serious, whether there’s wind involved or not. Gone are the days of thinking extreme cold is only about wind chill; it’s a comprehensive warning about the dangers of dropping temperatures.
As the night approached, a Freeze Warning was placed into effect, reminding residents to cozy up indoors. With lighter winds forecasted, the wind chills might not plunge too low, but they can still feel brisk. And watch out! Stronger winds hitting on January 8 are expected to drive wind chills down to the low to mid-20s, which may lead to another advisory.
So, what can you do to take care of yourself and your loved ones? For starters, bundling up is a must! Keep pets indoors, and don’t forget about your plants and pipes—especially the latter, which can freeze and cause some serious headaches if not properly protected.
The Emergency Preparedness Division of Jacksonville activated the Warming Center Contingency Plan for those experiencing extreme cold. When temperatures dip to 27 degrees or lower, a designated warming center will open its doors. This time, the Legends Center located at 5130 Soutel Drive will welcome guests starting at 9 p.m. on January 7 and serving until 9 a.m. on January 8.
For those needing transport to the center, Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) buses will provide rides to help vulnerable residents get warm. If you’re planning to visit, make sure to bring along essentials like air mattresses, blankets, snacks, and medications to stay cozy.
Don’t forget that there are also other local shelters like City Rescue Mission, Mission House, Sulzbacher Center, and Trinity Rescue Mission available for those needing shelter from the cold. Additionally, every City of Jacksonville library and community center will operate as warming centers during their regular hours.
As we brace ourselves for even more cold spells, the National Weather Service has also issued freezing warnings across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. Some forecasts suggest temperatures may dip as low as 34 degrees, causing wind chills to hover around 29 degrees. Buckle up and take precautions, folks—winter is sticking around through January 12, 2025.
Keep warm, Jacksonville, and remember to look out for each other! Winter isn’t done with us yet, but together we can bear the chill.
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