Weather

Extremely cold weather across Northwest Florida for the Christmas Holiday Weekend

On Wednesday, December 21, 2022, Okaloosa Public Safety Director Patrick Maddox sent out an update regarding the incoming arctic air that is moving toward the northern Gulf Coast. According to Maddox, a powerful arctic cold front will move across our area late Thursday into early Friday morning. Temperatures by Friday morning are forecast to be in […]

Jared Williams

On Wednesday, December 21, 2022, Okaloosa Public Safety Director Patrick Maddox sent out an update regarding the incoming arctic air that is moving toward the northern Gulf Coast.

Overall, the forecast has had little change, with the exception of a HARD FREEZE WATCH now coming into the picture.

According to Maddox, a powerful arctic cold front will move across our area late Thursday into early Friday morning. Temperatures by Friday morning are forecast to be in the teens and 20s. Strong northwest winds are expected to follow in the wake of the front with winds currently forecast to gust frequently to 30mph or more by Friday morning and remaining somewhat elevated on Friday night.

“Given these gusty northwest winds, it will feel much colder with wind chill temperatures forecast to be in the single digits over almost the entire area on Friday morning, with below zero values possible across far inland areas,” he wrote. “With winds remaining somewhat elevated on Friday night, expect similar wind chill values Friday night into Saturday morning.”

He says that Friday high temperatures will struggle to climb above freezing over much of the area and may stay in the 20s over far inland areas. Even the immediate coast will only warm to the mid/upper 30s.

Friday and Saturday nights will see lows drop into the teens over much of the area with low/mid 20s across the beach areas.
Highs on Christmas Eve will still struggle to climb out of the 30s and may still not climb above freezing in some inland areas.

Maddox added that it is possible that once some areas north of Highway 84 drop below freezing late Thursday night/Friday morning that temperatures may not rise back above freezing until Sunday afternoon.

“A HARD FREEZE WATCH is now in effect for all areas along and northwest of the I-65 corridor beginning late Thursday night,” he added. “Friday night through Christmas morning, a hard freeze watch is in effect for the entire region. Expect all areas currently in a hard freeze watch to be upgraded to a hard freeze warning as the event gets closer.”

According to the National Weather Service, as it stands now, daily highs on Christmas Eve will rank in the Top 5 coldest days since records began.

Christmas morning, as lows plunge into the teens for much of the area, it will rank in the Top 5 Coldest Christmas Mornings on record.

Cold Weather Shelters will be open:

South County: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday morning

One Hopeful Place Opens at 4:00 PM.
850-586-7879
1564 Percy L Coleman Rd
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
Website: https://onehopefulplace.org

Pickup location is Bridgeway Center, 205 Shell Ave, Fort Walton Beach. Shuttle service starts at 3:30 and 4:00PM

North County: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Crestview Area Shelter for the Homeless.

Opens at 6:00pm
850-398-5670
120 Duggan Ave,
Crestview, FL
Website: https://crestview.org

Join the conversation...Cancel reply

Continue reading 👇

Public Safety

Okaloosa Corrections Chief Nolan Weeks resigns, accepts private sector position

Military

1st SOW Commander adds mental health to Hurlburt Field’s top priorities in county update

Politics

New terms start as Okaloosa officials take oaths of office across the county

Giving Back

Okaloosa County ensures proper burial for 31 individuals without family or means at memorial service

Steve Reicher commented on Okaloosa County to acquire SS United States for world’s largest artificial reef off Destin-Fort Walton Beach

“The Big U! The NMU supplied the unlicensed crew and when we lost this ship and its jobs and when U.S. Lines went bankrupt, we were on our way to...”

Respond

Lynn commented on FWB Cub Scouts fundraising to display an American flag at homes in NWFL

“Is program still available?”

William Stanley commented on Okaloosa School District unveils plans for new two-story K-8 school in Crestview

“Highschool is finna be more crowed now. We need another highschool not a middle or elementary school.”

Ken Frame commented on 80ft and 75ft former scuba dive boats to become artificial reefs off Destin-Fort Walton Beach coast

“This is bittersweet. I spent a wonderful week in Cay Sal Banks on the Pilot in 2006. I will have to go pay her a visit soon....”

Carol re commented on FDOT to discuss widening Highway 98 on Okaloosa Island, new Destin Bridge at public meeting

“I agree with Jerome. What will this accomplish since both ends are only 4 lanes?”

Fred commented on FDOT to discuss widening Highway 98 on Okaloosa Island, new Destin Bridge at public meeting

“The parking lot at McGuires would disappear along with the parcel that Destin purchased at the bridge.. Flooding on Okaloosa Island would close an expensive update to 98 , at...”

Bruce Johnson commented on FDOT renderings show proposed changes to Highway 98 across Okaloosa Island

“This will not make a difference for traffic passing through the center of Destin along Rt. 98. The smart option is to complete the Brooks Bridge and intersection in Ft...”

Ray Sullivan commented on FDOT to discuss widening Highway 98 on Okaloosa Island, new Destin Bridge at public meeting

“Doesn’t it still end up with 4 lanes on either end after bridges? Seems more aesthetic than a traffic plan. Which is nice too but does it increase the function?”

LC commented on SS United States to begin final journey from Philadelphia to become the world’s largest artificial reef

“It would be a money pit let’s sink it for the tourists who we don’t have enough of so more will come”

Jerome Karnowski commented on FDOT to discuss widening Highway 98 on Okaloosa Island, new Destin Bridge at public meeting

“Traffic moves pretty well on that stretch of 98, I don't see the need to waste the money. Maybe do something to deal with the traffic in Destin, and Mary...”