Tallahassee Braces for Prolonged Cold Snap as Winter Storm Blair Hits

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Winter Storm Blair, which has impacted the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic states, is ushering in a prolonged cold spell for the Tallahassee area. While the region will avoid frozen precipitation, temperatures are expected to plummet, with lows dipping to around freezing or lower and wind chills in the low to mid-20s over the next several mornings. Highs, typically in the low 60s this time of year, will struggle to reach the upper 40s to low 50s through the weekend.

“For the foreseeable future, we’re just going to be socked with cold weather,” said Israel Gonzalez, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Tallahassee. The temperature drop will be swift; on Monday afternoon, Tallahassee recorded 70 degrees, while just 100 miles away in DeFuniak Springs, it was already 47 degrees.

A cold weather advisory is in effect for Tuesday morning, stretching from the Panhandle and Big Bend into Central Florida. Wind chills as low as 20 degrees are expected, posing a risk of hypothermia with prolonged exposure. In response, the Big Bend Continuum of Care announced the opening of cold weather shelters through Thursday night. Locations include the Kearney Center on Municipal Way for single adults, the HOPE Community on West Pensacola Street for families, and Capital City Youth Services for children aged 10-17. Intake will occur between 4 and 8 p.m. each day.

The National Weather Service urged residents to dress appropriately for the cold, including wearing hats and gloves, and to keep pets indoors. “Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors,” the agency advised. “Ensure portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills inside.”

The city of Tallahassee also emphasized the importance of protecting people, pets, plants, and pipes during the cold snap. Residents are advised to run at least one faucet at a thin stream to prevent water pipes from freezing and breaking. The seven-day forecast predicts scattered showers around Friday and a slight warm-up by Sunday, with highs reaching the mid-50s. However, the Climate Prediction Center indicates a 60%-80% chance of below-normal temperatures across most of Florida through Jan. 19.

Local governments and community partners are coordinating overnight sheltering efforts for those experiencing homelessness, following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Measures include socially distanced sleeping, face coverings, and enhanced sanitation practices. Residents in need of shelter are encouraged to arrive at designated locations between 4 and 8 p.m. for intake.

Deputy Neely Cook of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office Homeless Outreach Street Team has been informing individuals living on the streets about the impending cold and available resources. “A lot of them were very surprised that it’s going to be this cold in Tallahassee,” Cook said. Her team is distributing bus passes to help people reach shelters and will continue checking on vulnerable individuals throughout the week.

Interim CEO Kay Meyer-Ignacio of Elder Care Services highlighted additional resources available for seniors and others in need. “There’s a lot out there for people that can help in our community that a lot don’t even know about,” she said. Call Supervisor Anthony Lanh emphasized the need for comprehensive support, including crisis counseling, as the cold weather exacerbates existing challenges for many individuals.