Blast of cold expected this weekend

Franklin County’s emergency management office is warning that this weekend is likely to feature the coldest air of the 2021-22 winter season, with wind chill readings expected on Saturday morning to drop as low as 12 to 20 degrees.

The lowest air temperatures are expected on Sunday morning, when the National Weather Service forecasts them to be in the low to mid 20-degree range inland, and in the immediate coastal area in the upper 20s to near 30-degree range

Strong northerly winds will develop on Friday afternoon and evening behind a strong cold front. Temperatures will plunge over the course of Friday night into Saturday morning, concurrent with wind speeds of 10 to 20 mph.

Wind chill readings on Saturday morning will bottom out, northwest of an Apalachicola to Tallahassee to Valdosta line to 12 to 20-degree wind chills; and southeast of that line to 20 to 25 degree wind chills.

Winds will die down on Saturday night, but after that the coldest actual air temperatures are expected and a hard freeze is forecast for some inland locations.

Residents are advised to bring pets and plants inside, and to check on elderly friends and family. Emergency management also asks that people be cautious when using space heaters and never leave them unattended.