MELBOURNE — The National Weather Service in Melbourne has issued a freeze watch for all counties in east-central Florida, including Brevard and Indian River counties, warning of a hard freeze with temperatures possibly dropping to the mid-20s.
The watch, issued Thursday at 11:19 a.m. EST, takes effect Saturday evening, Jan. 31, and continues through Sunday afternoon, Feb. 1, ending at 1 p.m. EST.
Forecasters also highlighted an extreme cold watch for the same area, with wind chills potentially dipping as low as 7 degrees. Such conditions could cause frostbite or hypothermia with limited exposure, officials said.
Freeze conditions are expected to kill crops, sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing, according to the weather service.
Strong gusty winds are forecast Saturday, with speeds reaching 35 to 45 mph or higher at times during the afternoon and evening. Residents should complete preparations for the very cold temperatures by Saturday morning, the agency advised.
The watch covers the full forecast zone served by the Melbourne office, which includes Brevard, Indian River and other east-central counties. No further updates were immediately available.