Hard freeze to hit region this weekend

Sub-freezing temperatures are forecasted to hit North Central Florida on Friday and Saturday night with expected wind chills in the 20s.

The National Weather Service (NWS) Jacksonville office issued the freeze watch as an arctic front rolls into the region from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday with a projected low of 24 degrees. The high on Saturday is expected to be 46 degrees. 

According to NWS, Friday’s overnight low will reach 33 degrees and Sunday night’s low is projected for 36 degrees with a high of 54. 

By Monday, the daytime high will reach 65 degrees with an expected low around 41.

Alachua County will activate its Cold Night Shelter (CNS) Program that is triggered when conditions drop below 45 degrees. St. Francis House (413 S. Main St.) and GRACE Marketplace (3055 NE 28th Ave.) will be open to provide services to people in need of temporary shelter.

In Lake City, Parkview Baptist Church is opening its fellowship hall at 6 p.m. on Friday through Sunday. The church is located at 268 NW Lake Jeffery Road across from Young’s Park.

Extended forecast predictions show overnight temperatures reaching the low to mid 50s by Tuesday night with highs in the mid 70s by Wednesday.