Strong, Arctic cold front expected for Treasure Coast
URGENT –
WIND CHILL ADVISORY
National Weather Service Melbourne FL 331 AM EST Wed Jan 17 2018 St. Lucie-Martin- Including the cities of Port Saint Lucie, Fort Pierce, Hobe Sound, Jensen Beach, Port Salerno, and Stuart 331 AM EST Wed Jan 17 2018
A wind chill advisory in effect from 4 am to 9am
WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO 9 AM EST THURSDAY
Very cold wind chills are expected due to a combination of cold temperatures and northwest winds remaining at or a little above 10 mph. Expect wind chills to drop into the upper 20s and lower 30s for a few hours before and a little after sunrise Thursday.
WHERE…Saint Lucie and Martin Counties. *
WHEN…4 AM to 9 AM Thursday. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS A Wind Chill Advisory means that cold air and the wind will combine to create low wind chills. Make sure you dress appropriately for the cold weather, including a coat, a hat and gloves.
Hazardous Weather Outlook
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Melbourne FL 515 AM EST Wed Jan 17 2018 Flagler Beach to Volusia-Brevard County Line 0-20 nm-Volusia- Brevard County Line to Sebastian Inlet 0-20 nm- Sebastian Inlet to Jupiter Inlet 0-20 nm-Flagler Beach to Volusia- Brevard County Line 20-60 nm-Volusia- Brevard County Line to Sebastian Inlet 20-60 nm- Sebastian Inlet to Jupiter Inlet 20-60 nm-Inland Volusia County- Northern Lake County-Orange-Seminole-Southern Brevard County- Osceola-Indian River-Okeechobee-St. Lucie-Martin- Coastal Volusia County-Southern Lake County- Northern Brevard County-
515 AM EST Wed Jan 17 2018 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA. .DAY ONE…TODAY AND TONIGHT. .EXCESSIVE COLD IMPACT
A strong, Arctic cold front will sweep through central Florida this afternoon. Behind the front, another surge of very cold air will spill across east central Florida on gusty northwest to north winds, which will increase to around 15 MPH through tonight.
Low temperatures in the upper 20s are expected across northern Lake and Volusia Counties, and in the lower 30s from around the Interstate 4 corridor southward over the interior to near Lake Okeechobee.
A Freeze Watch is in effect for this area. In addition, the combination of cold temperatures and the gusty northwest to north winds will result in wind chill readings in the 20s across most of the region, except for the immediate Treasure Coast and barrier islands.
A Wind Chill Advisory is in effect for all of east central Florida tonight. If you will be outside from this evening through sunrise, be sure to dress appropriately for the cold weather, including a hat and gloves. Listen for possible Freeze Warnings that may be issued later today.
WIND AND SEA IMPACT.
Northwest to northwest winds of around 15 knots will increase to 20 to 25 knots by late tonight, with seas of 4 to 6 feet this morning building to 6 to 8 feet near shore and up to 10 feet well offshore, especially over the Gulf Stream. Small Craft Should Exercise Caution this morning and early this afternoon. By late afternoon, a Small Craft Advisory will go into effect through tonight.
RIP CURRENT IMPACT
Weather and ocean conditions will produce a moderate risk of Rip Currents within the chilly surf of the central Florida Atlantic beaches today. The threat will be highest from 11 AM through 5 PM due to tidal effects. Check with beach patrol for the latest information about ocean hazards. Always swim within sight of a lifeguard, and never swim alone
DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.
The cold temperatures will linger through Thursday and Thursday night, before a gradual warmup begins late in the week. Hazardous boating conditions will be slow to subside beginning Thursday evening, and remain poor offshore through early Friday morning.
County to Open Belle Glade Cold Weather Shelte
The National Weather Service predicts a temperature of 40°F or a wind chill lower than 35°F for at least four hours in Western Palm Beach County. In order to protect those seeking refuge from the cold during the overnight period, the Palm Beach County Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management, activated the Cold Weather Emergency Shelter Plan for Western Palm Beach County only.
The following cold weather emergency shelter locations will be open beginning at 7:00 PM, Wednesday, 1/17/2018; and will close as necessary based on weather conditions as outlined in the Cold Weather Shelter Plan.
West County Senior Center
2916 State Rd. #15
Belle Glade
Transportation to shelters will be via Palm Tran at designated pick up locations. Transportation information can be obtained by contacting:
- Palm Beach County Crisis Line
Dial 211 or toll free at (866) 882-2991
- Palm Beach County Division of Emergency Management
(561) 712-6400 or (561) 712-6428
For more information on the Cold Weather Shelters and Bus Pickups, please go to: Cold Weather Sheltering.
The Palm Beach County Division of Emergency Management will continue to monitor weather developments and make announcements on any further shelter openings as necessary.
