Residents of Vero Beach and Indian River County are urged to prepare for a dramatic shift in weather patterns as the National Weather Service in Melbourne has issued multiple warnings for the region. A potent combination of high winds and plunging temperatures is expected to bring a hard freeze to the Treasure Coast, creating potentially hazardous conditions starting the afternoon of January 31 and continuing through early February.
According to meteorologists, the area will experience a rapid temperature decline of nearly 40 degrees. While the day on January 31 began with highs in the low-60s, temperatures are forecast to bottom out in the mid-20s overnight. This stark drop is accompanied by a Wind Advisory and Freeze Warnings.
High winds are expected in the afternoon Jan. 31, coinciding with a steep drop in temperatures that are likely to plunge the entire Treasure Coast into a hard freeze overnight and into Feb. 1.
Wind and Freeze Advisory Details
The weather system is bringing more than just cold air. A Wind Advisory is in effect from 3 p.m. on January 31 until 7 a.m. on February 1. Residents should anticipate sustained winds between 20 and 30 mph, with gusts reaching as high as 40 to 50 mph.
Following the winds, the cold will set in. Extreme cold warnings and freeze warnings are scheduled to be in effect from 7 p.m. on January 31 until 1 p.m. on February 1. However, the danger does not end there. Forecasts indicate that below-freezing conditions may persist well past the initial warning period.
Projected Temperatures and Historical Records
The forecasted lows are severe enough to potentially shatter daily records. The record low for February 1 in Vero Beach was set at 29 degrees in 1966. With forecasts predicting lows in the mid-20s, that long-standing record is likely to be broken.
Looking ahead to the night of February 1 and the early morning of February 2, the National Weather Service forecasts a low of 26 degrees for Vero Beach. When combined with the wind, the “feels like” temperature—or wind chill—could drop as low as 19 degrees. While these temperatures are extreme, they are not expected to break the all-time record low for Vero Beach, which was 21 degrees, set on January 22, 1985.
Safety and Preparation Guidelines
Local officials and weather experts are encouraging all residents to take immediate precautions to protect life and property during this hard freeze event:
Cold Weather Shelters
In response to the dangerous conditions, cold weather shelters are opening across the Treasure Coast to assist those in need.
Vero Beach Shelter:
The Salvation Army of Indian River County, located at 2655 Fifth St. SW, plans to open its shelter at 7 p.m. on January 31, February 1, and February 2. The shelter will close at 7 a.m. the following morning each day.
Neighboring County Shelters:
Residents are advised to stay indoors as much as possible and monitor local weather updates from TCPalm and the National Weather Service as the system progresses.
