Okaloosa County residents should prepare for a sharp drop in temperatures this weekend, with overnight lows potentially reaching the teens and wind chills in the single digits, according to Public Safety Director Patrick Maddox.
- In a briefing Wednesday, Maddox outlined what residents can expect over the coming days. After highs in the 50s Wednesday, temperatures were expected to fall into the 30s by evening and drop to 25-30 degrees overnight.
Isolated rain showers are possible Thursday night into Friday morning, though not every area will see precipitation. Most rain should clear by around 7 p.m. Friday as colder, drier air moves in.
The coldest conditions arrive Saturday morning, when lows could reach the teens and low 20s with wind chills in single digits. Extreme Cold Warnings are expected. Areas that receive late rainfall Thursday or Friday could see slick patches on roadways as temperatures drop below freezing.
- Saturday’s highs should reach the low to mid-30s, with Sunday similar in the low 40s. Both nights will see freezing temperatures, though no additional precipitation is expected.
Maddox urged residents to follow the “5 P’s” of cold weather safety: protect people, pets, plants and pipes, and practice good cold weather safety habits. Given the potential for icy roads, he added a sixth: patience.
“Give yourselves extra time to reach your destinations, drive safely, allow for extra distance between vehicles for the possibility of extended stopping distances,” Maddox said.
