Arctic blast: Multiple hard freezes possible through the weekend in Tallahassee

Jeff Burlew, Tallahassee Democrat
·4 min read

The blast of Arctic air that brought snow and ice to the Midwest and Northeast is forecast to dip all the way into North Florida on Tuesday, with another round of frigid weather expected by the weekend.

With lows plunging to the low 20s and wind chill values dropping to the teens, the National Weather Service in Tallahassee issued a hard freeze warning and wind chill advisory for the entire North Florida and South Georgia area from Tuesday night through Wednesday morning,

“If you do venture outside, make sure you’re dressed for it,” said Eric Bunker, meteorologist with the Weather Service. “Pets that are left outside should be brought in. Folks that are homeless that are outside should seek shelter for the night.”

The overnight cold weather shelter was expected to open Tuesday night at a minimum. The shetler is provided through a partnership between the city of Tallahassee, Leon County, the Kearney Center, First Baptist Church and other agencies.

The city urged residents to take precautions and practice the “Four Ps” of cold weather safety to protect people, pets, plants and pipes.

“To avoid water pipes breaking due to frigid air, utility customers are advised to run at least one faucet in their home or business at a thin stream,” the city said in a news release. “This allows water to flow through the pipes and lowers the risk of broken water lines during freezing conditions.”

Low temperatures are expected to plunge to the 20s Tuesday night across the entire area, with even lower wind chill values.
Low temperatures are expected to plunge to the 20s Tuesday night across the entire area, with even lower wind chill values.

In Tallahassee, the low was forecast to drop to 25 on Wednesday morning, with a high that day of 49. Another hard freeze is possible for southeast Alabama and southwest Georgia on Thursday; Tallahassee is forecast for a low of 30.

After a brief warm-up, with highs in the upper 50s to low 60s Thursday and Friday, another blustery cold front is expected Friday night, with lows dropping to around 28 on Saturday morning and 26 on Sunday morning.

The storm system brought a rare bout of freezing rain to portions of Southeast Alabama and the Pensacola area, Bunker said. He said any freezing precipitation wouldn’t make it to Tallahassee as it transitions to a warmer air mass just to the south.

The entire North Florida and South Georgia area are under a hard freeze watch through Wednesday morning as low temperatures are expected to plunge into the low 20s.
The entire North Florida and South Georgia area are under a hard freeze watch through Wednesday morning as low temperatures are expected to plunge into the low 20s.

Cold weather tips from the city of Tallahassee

PEOPLE

  • Exercise caution when using supplemental heating units.

  • Make sure all combustible materials, such as drapes or chairs, are at least three feet away from any heating unit.

  • Avoid using flammable liquids to start fireplaces and do not leave a fireplace unattended. Once the fire is out, let the ashes cool in the fireplace for several days.

  • Check your smoke alarm to make sure it is working properly.

  • Dress in layers of lightweight clothing, which will keep you warmer than one bulky sweater.

  • Check on neighbors and family members who may be more susceptible to cold weather conditions, such as the elderly or disabled. If you are unable to reach them, TPD will conduct a welfare check for you. Call the Consolidated Dispatch Agency at 850-606-5800 to request the service.

Low temperatures are forecast to plunge into the low 20s Tuesday night and Wednesday morning across North Florida and South Georgia.
Low temperatures are forecast to plunge into the low 20s Tuesday night and Wednesday morning across North Florida and South Georgia.

PIPES

  • Insulate pipes located outside or in the attic with cloth or a similar material to help prevent freezing.

  • Make sure the cover to your water meter fits tightly. If your pipes do freeze, you can use the valve inside the meter box to shut off all the water to the house, helping to prevent indoor flooding when pipes thaw.

  • Insulate your backflow assembly properly by wrapping or covering the pipe. Do not cover the bottom relief opening on the underside at the middle of the apparatus to avoid creating other flooding problems.

  • Wrap commercial fire lines in buildings.

  • Disconnect outside water hoses from spigots, as water trapped inside can freeze and crack the hose.

PETS

  • Towel dry your pet’s paws after walking on cold, wet grass to avoid chapped paws.

  • Never shave your pet down to the skin in winter, as longer coats provide warmth in the cooler air. If your pet has short hair or is sensitive to the cold, consider getting them a coat or sweater to wear when outside.

  • Provide shelter for outdoor pets or bring them indoors. Remember, if it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pets.

PLANTS

  • Move interior plants away from poorly insulated or drafty windows.

  • Bring potted plants into your garage or shed or insulate the pot with plastic wrap or burlap.

  • Add a thin layer of mulch around the base of young trees or shrubs, leaving a few inches of space near the trunk to prevent root rot.

  • Cover garden beds or rooted plants with opaque plastic wrap or cardboard boxes, securely anchoring the cover to the ground with rocks or bricks to prevent cool air from sneaking in. Remove the coverings once temperatures begin to rise.

Source: City of Tallahassee

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Arctic blast: Multiple hard freezes possible through weekend in Tallahassee