Portions of Florida are bracing for sub-freezing temperatures Friday night into Saturday morning as a freeze warning goes into effect.
Why It Matters
Temperatures are expected to drop to the low 20s overnight, the National Weather Service (NWS) warned. Temperatures in the Sunshine state around 5 p.m. ET were hovering around 50 degrees in Ocala, Jacksonville, Leesburg and Lake City.
The below freezing temperatures could kill plants and vegetation and potentially burst pipes. The NWS also warns that the cold temperatures coupled with wind chills “can lead to hypothermia with prolonged exposure.”
What To Know
The cities of Tallahassee, Perry, Lake City, Jacksonville, Gainesville, Ocala, Deltona and Leesburg are all under the freeze warning. The warning goes into effect late Friday night and is set to expire around 9 a.m. on Saturday, the NWS said.
Newsweek reached out to the NWS via email on Friday for comment.
Below are the maps of the impacted areas:
Meanwhile, portions of Florida saw snow this week amid the freezing temperatures. Certain areas experienced snow fall accumulations of six inches and up to eight inches in the city of Bonifay, the NWS said.
Amid freezing temperatures, the Sunshine State is also accustomed to experiencing “falling iguanas,” as the animal needs warmth from the sun.
WINK Chief Meteorologist Matt Devitt alerted residents to be aware of this possibility saying on X (formerly Twitter): “HEADS UP! The coldest air of the season is expected across Florida on Saturday morning with even the potential for falling iguanas! In Southwest Florida, lows will drop into the 30s with some waking up to wind chills in the 20s. Bundle up and watch out for iguanas! 🥶🦎@WINKNews.”
What People Are Saying
The NWS Melbourne said in the freeze warning on Friday, in part: “Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves. Keep pets indoors as much as possible. Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure portable heaters are used correctly.”
NWS Jacksonville said on X on Friday: “Another bitterly cold morning across the region! ❄️🥶 Lows read in the low 20s in southeast GA and in the mid-20s to low 30s in northeast FL. Abundant sunshine will help temperatures climb into the 40s, potentially into the low 50s in northeast Florida today.”
WFLA Chief Meteorologist Jeff Berardelli said on X on Friday: “Tomorrow (Sat AM) will be the coldest morning of the season for many neighborhoods in the Bay Area. Freeze conditions for Citrus, Hernando and Pasco and patchy spots south of there will drop to 32 as well. Everyone else will dip into the mid 30s with wind chills near 30.@WFLA.”
What Happens Next
Meteorologists say the warning will expire Saturday morning as warmer temperatures are expected next week.
