JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As December kicks off, residents are already feeling the chill of round two of cold air sweeping through the area.
Mornings have seen temperatures dip to about 33 degrees, leading to a light freeze at the airport.
With afternoon highs struggling to reach the 60s, it’s clear that the cold is widespread. Specific areas such as Orange Park are experiencing temperatures as low as 36 degrees, with Starke dipping down to 31 degrees. The beaches are no exception, with temperatures in the lower to mid-40s.
Forecast for the next two nights
The next couple of nights promise to be even chillier, with temperatures expected to sink into the upper 20s. This drop might lead to a hard freeze, especially in the Suwannee River Valley and Macclenny areas. Orange Park could also experience freezing conditions. A frost advisory is currently in effect for locales like Jax Beach, while freeze warnings were active until 9 a.m.
Even Central Florida is not escaping the cold, with chillier air reaching down across the I-4 corridor.
The arrival of arctic air
As arctic air progressively moves south like a quiet frontal boundary, residents won’t have to deal with rain or cloud cover. What it will bring, however, is extra low humidity coupled with plummeting temperatures. Wind chill values may decrease to the mid-20s, making for a brisk night. Areas such as St. Marys could hit lows of 29 degrees.
Longer-term weather outlook
There is a sliver of warmth on the horizon, as temperatures are expected to creep upward slightly from Wednesday into Thursday.
However, another front is slated to make its way through by Friday, which could mean another dip in temperatures. Looking ahead to the weekend brings a silver lining, with temperatures anticipated to gradually return to the 70s, paving the way for milder days ahead.
As this cold spell continues, it’s crucial to stay equipped with warm jackets and be prepared for frost and freeze conditions. Continue to stay informed with the latest from News4JAX for accurate forecasts and updates. As always, if you capture any stunning weather scenes, share them with us on SnapJAX by heading over to SnapJAX.