The watch goes into effect late Sunday night—beginning at midnight—and continues through noon Monday. Forecasters warn that dangerously low wind chills are possible, ranging from the single digits well inland to the mid‑teens along the coast.
Before the cold arrives, the region will see mild temperatures and increasing rain Saturday afternoon into the evening. Winds are expected to run 10–15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.
Sunday’s forecast calls for a high near 72 degrees before temperatures plunge to around 26 overnight, accompanied by northwest winds near 15 mph. Monday night’s low is expected to fall to around 21 degrees. Forecasters say the area should remain south of any freezing rain or snow, with precipitation expected to stay all rain.
The primary concerns during the cold snap include frostbite and hypothermia for anyone exposed to the elements for an extended period, as well as potential damage to unprotected water pipes.
Navarre Press spoke with Jeff Crigler, CEO of Holley Navarre Water System, about how residents can best protect their homes.
“The two basic things that will help protect pipes are insulating or wrapping any exposed pipes and outside hose bibs, and leaving a trickle of water running in your sink,” Crigler said. “Our staff will be available around the clock in case something happens on our side, but doing those things will help homeowners protect their side.”
Crigler noted that he doesn’t always recommend leaving water running, but during a hard freeze like the one expected this weekend, it can be beneficial. Here are more tips from HNWS:
💧 Protect your plumbing
- Let a small trickle of water run from faucets during freezing nights to help prevent pipes from freezing.
- Insulate exposed pipes, outdoor spigots, and other vulnerable plumbing with foam covers or insulation.
- Disconnect outdoor hoses to prevent frozen spigots or backflow issues.
🧠 Be prepared
- Avoid unnecessary travel if roads become icy, especially in areas not used to winter conditions.
- Pay attention to any boil water notices. If one is issued, follow the instructions provided to keep your household safe.
📲 Stay informed
- Please report leaks or frozen service lines promptly, early reports help us respond faster and reduce impacts.
- HNWS will share updates as quickly as possible through text and email alerts. Sign up for alerts and stay connected at www.hnws-fl.com 💧
A cold weather shelter for the homeless/heatless will open on the nights of Jan. 25-27 at Ferris Hill Baptist Church located at 6848 Chaffin St. in Milton.
The Santa Rosa School District has confirmed no changes in the school schedule for now. Spokesperson and new principal of Gulf Breeze Elementary said, “We are closely monitoring the weather. if anything changes, we will provide updates to parents and families via call, email, text, social media and our website.”
Navarre has already seen a touch of winter this season—a light dusting of snow fell early last Thursday before melting quickly. Just one year ago, on Jan. 21, 2025, the area saw a historic 8–10 inches of snowfall. And in 2014, an ice and sleet storm brought the community to a standstill. What will these extreme cold conditions hold for Navarre? We will update the forecast as it becomes necessary.