Issued: 2:23 AM Jan. 20, 2025 – National Weather Service
...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING...
* WHAT...Heavy mixed precipitation possible. Total snow and sleet
accumulations up to two inches and ice accumulations around one
tenth of an inch possible.
* WHERE...Portions of southeast Alabama, Panhandle Florida, and
southwest Georgia.
* WHEN...From Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning.
* IMPACTS...Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will
likely become slick and hazardous. The strong winds and weight of
snow on tree limbs may down power lines and could cause sporadic
power outages. Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous
conditions could impact the Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning
commutes.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.
Persons are urged to stay indoors until conditions improve. If you
must go outside, dress in layers. Several layers of clothes will
keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Cover exposed skin to
reduce your risk of frostbite or hypothermia. Gloves, a scarf, and a
hat will keep you from losing your body heat.
Persons should consider delaying all travel. If travel is absolutely
necessary, drive with extreme caution. Consider taking a winter
storm kit along with you, including such items as tire chains,
booster cables, flashlight, shovel, blankets and extra clothing.
Also take water, a first aid kit, and anything else that would help
you survive in case you become stranded.
__________________________________
Winter Storm Watch
From Tue 12:00 pm until Wed 6:00 am CST
Action Recommended
Make preparations per the instructions
Issued By
Tallahassee - FL, US, National Weather Service
Affected Area
Portions of southeast Alabama, Panhandle Florida, and southwest Georgia
Description
...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING...
WHAT...Heavy mixed precipitation possible. Total snow and sleet accumulations up to two inches and ice accumulations around one tenth of an inch possible.
WHERE...Portions of southeast Alabama, Panhandle Florida, and southwest Georgia.
WHEN...From Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning.
IMPACTS...Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. The strong winds and weight of snow on tree limbs may down power lines and could cause sporadic power outages. Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning commutes.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.
Persons are urged to stay indoors until conditions improve. If you must go outside, dress in layers. Several layers of clothes will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Cover exposed skin to reduce your risk of frostbite or hypothermia. Gloves, a scarf, and a hat will keep you from losing your body heat.
Persons should consider delaying all travel. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution. Consider taking a winter storm kit along with you, including such items as tire chains, booster cables, flashlight, shovel, blankets and extra clothing. Also take water, a first aid kit, and anything else that would help you survive in case you become stranded.
______________________________________
Walton County Emergency Management
In preparation for the upcoming wintry precipitation
Ice accumulation on trees and power lines adds significant weight, which may lead to power outages in your area. Here are some tips to stay safe and prepared if the power goes out during cold weather:
Prep for the Cold
• Stock up on essentials: Have enough food, water, and medications for at least three days.
• Layer up: Extra blankets and warm clothing are essential for keeping cozy without heat. Please, don't put the space heater under your blanket.
• Flashlights over candles: Avoid fire hazards by using battery-powered lighting.
• Plan Ahead: There is a solid chance roads will be hazardous. If you can avoid being on the road, we strongly recommend it.
⚡ Generator Safety
• Place generators outside—never indoors or in an enclosed space like a garage.
• Keep them at least 20 feet away from windows and doors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Follow manufacturer guidelines and never overload your generator. Now is the time to test your generator for working condition.
️ Stay Safe During a Power Outage
• Unplug electronics to avoid power surges when electricity is restored.
• Keep your fridge closed: Food stays safe for about 4 hours in a refrigerator and 48 hours in a full freezer.
• Use space heaters only as directed and never leave them unattended.
Stay Informed
• Sign up for local emergency notifications to stay in the loop by visiting www.AlertWalton.org
• Monitor local weather alerts and check with your utility company for outage updates. Here are some helpful links for outage maps:
• Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative, Inc.: https://bit.ly/4hm2EuZ
• Florida Power & Light: Power Tracker Map
• Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative: Web Outage Viewer
Cold Weather Sheltering Locations
• In the event of an extended power outage, cold weather shelters will be available, pending volunteer availability.
• If you're interested in helping, see below for the sign up links! For questions, contact our friends at Matrix COC by texting 850-409-5818 or calling 850-307-8100.
North Walton Shelter
DeFuniak Springs Community Center
361 N. 10th St., DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
Sign Up Here: North Walton Cold Weather Shelter Volunteer Sign Up
Freeport Shelter
Freeport Community Center
902 State Highway 20, Freeport, FL 32439
Sign Up Here: Freeport Cold Weather Shelter Volunteer Sign Up
Finally, stay warm, stay safe, and look out for your neighbors! ❄️
____________________
A Winter Storm Warning will be in effect for Okaloosa County from 6 a.m. Tuesday through 6 a.m. Wednesday, as confidence grows for significant winter weather impacts.
Okaloosa Public Safety Director Patrick Maddox said Sunday that areas between Highway 84 and the Interstate 10 corridor now appear most likely to receive the highest snow totals, marking a southward shift in the forecast.
Road conditions will likely be hazardous due to ice accumulation, with state and local crews preparing response measures. The Department of Transportation will use chloride salts and ethylene glycol on state roads, while county public works crews will spread sand on local roads if necessary. Officials strongly advise against using two-wheeled vehicles during the weather event.
Residents should take precautions to protect their homes during the bitter cold, Maddox advised. This includes dripping faucets, protecting exposed pipes, and using portable heaters with caution. Additionally, residents should make arrangements to protect outside plants, trees, and animals.
While confidence in snow accumulation decreases north of Highway 84, Maddox emphasized that even minor accumulations could create major impacts due to extremely cold temperatures.
"It looks like this will be a mostly snow event for the majority of the area," Maddox said. However, he noted coastal areas might experience a mix of winter precipitation, potentially affecting accumulation amounts there.
The winter storm is expected to impact the area from Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening. Officials warn that moderate to major impacts are expected regardless of specific snow totals.
Bitter cold temperatures will continue to affect the area through the latter half of the week, Maddox added.
