* IT'S FLORIDA! HOW CAN IT BE COLD?: You're in NORTH Florida... Average temperatures in Tallahassee during the winter months range from the low 40s to the mid 60s. Temperatures routinely drop below freezing (32'F). The record lows in Tallahassee for November - March range from 20'F to an all-time low of +2'F. Tallahassee has never dropped below zero. Panama City is only a couple degrees warmer on average than Tallahassee.
* IS COLD WEATHER DANGEROUS?: YES. During the harsh winter of 1989-1990, 26 Floridians died of hypothermia. Because of normally mild temperatures, Florida homes often lack adequate heating and insulation and the Florida outdoor lifestyle leads to danger for those not prepared. In addition to the actual temperature, when the wind blows, a wind chill (the temperature that it feels like) is experienced on exposed skin. Also cold weather has been known to cause problems with electric supply. A blackout could result in near-freezing temperatures inside your house.
* SNOW IN TALLAHASSEE!?: Yes! It has snowed in Florida many times. In Tallahassee, measurable snow has not fallen since 1989, so we are overdue. For more information about the history and chance of snow in Tallahassee, go HERE.
* HOW WILL I KNOW OF BAD WINTER WEATHER?: When freezing temperatures, precipitation or low wind chills are expected, the National Weather Service will issue warnings or advisories.
* WHAT IS WIND CHILL?: The wind chill is the cooling effect due to the combination of temperature and wind. It is expressed as the loss of body heat.
* HOW IS WIND CHILL CALCULATED?: Use the following handy chart. Go across the top to the current temperature, then down to the current wind speed, to calculate the current wind chill. So, for example, a 30'F temperature, with a 20 mph wind, can feel like 17'F.
| Temperature (F) | ||||||||||||
 |
Calm | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 0 | -5 | -10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 36 | 31 | 25 | 19 | 13 | 7 | 1 | -5 | -11 | -16 | -22 | |
| 10 | 34 | 27 | 21 | 15 | 9 | 3 | -4 | -10 | -16 | -22 | -28 | |
| 15 | 32 | 25 | 19 | 13 | 6 | 0 | -7 | -13 | -19 | -26 | -32 | |
| 20 | 30 | 24 | 17 | 11 | 4 | -2 | -9 | -15 | -22 | -29 | -35 | |
| 25 | 29 | 23 | 16 | 9 | 3 | -4 | -11 | -17 | -24 | -31 | -37 | |
| 30 | 28 | 22 | 15 | 8 | 1 | -5 | -12 | -19 | -26 | -33 | -39 | |
| 35 | 28 | 21 | 14 | 7 | 0 | -7 | -14 | -21 | -27 | -34 | -41 | |
| 40 | 27 | 20 | 13 | 6 | -1 | -8 | -15 | -22 | -29 | -36 | -43 | |
| 45 | 26 | 19 | 12 | 5 | -2 | -9 | -16 | -23 | -30 | -37 | -44 | |
| 50 | 26 | 19 | 12 | 4 | -3 | -10 | -17 | -24 | -31 | -38 | -45 | |
| 55 | 25 | 18 | 11 | 4 | -3 | -11 | -18 | -25 | -32 | -39 | -46 | |
| 60 | 25 | 17 | 10 | 3 | -4 | -11 | -19 | -26 | -33 | -40 | -48 | |
* WHAT ARE THE 5 P's OF COLD WEATHER PREPAREDNESS?
- Protect People
- Protect Plants
- Protect Pets
- Protect Exposed Pipes
- Practice Fire Safety
* HOW CAN YOU PREPARE FOR COLD WEATHER?
- Stay indoors and use safe heating sources.
- Be aware of the fire danger from space heaters and candles, keep such devices away from all flammable materials such as curtains and furniture, and install recommended smoke detectors.
- Indoors, do not use charcoal or other fuel-burning devices, such as grills that produce carbon monoxide. Install at least one carbon monoxide detector per floor in your home.
- Have your fireplace chimney or wood stove inspected and cleaned regularly by a certified specialist. Clear the area around the hearth of debris, decorations, and flammable materials.
- Outdoors, stay dry and in wind protected areas.
- Wear multiple layers of loose-fitting, warm clothing.
- Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids and eat high-caloric foods.
- Keep a blanket in your vehicle should you get stuck on the road or your vehicle breaks down.
* WHAT IS THE CURRENT WIND CHILL?:
WIND CHILL MAP - ©Unisys Corp.
