INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Rough, cold weather and showers are expected to sweep through the county this week in what experts described as “some of the coldest weather Florida has seen in years.”
A cold weather shelter will open this week to help those in need avoid the chilly weather.
Cold Weather Shelter
The Source, a local Christian outreach ministry for the homeless and needy, will be providing a cold night shelter in Vero Beach from 9 p.m. Wednesday through 6 p.m. Friday, emergency services officials said.
The shelter is located at 1015 Commerce Avenue in Vero Beach. Guests should plan to arrive before 10 p.m. and are accepted on a first come first serve basis.
A meal will be served each evening and regular operating hours will resume on Saturday, officials said. Monetary donations in addition to blankets, jackets, pillows and sweaters are needed and appreciated.
For more information on the shelter, call the Source at 717-435-2312.
Daily Temps
For Tuesday, there will be a 60 percent chance of showers with a high temperature near 65 degrees. The day will be windy with 20 mph north northeast winds, with wind gusts as high as 25 mph.
The temperature for Tuesday afternoon will drop to about 54 degrees, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
For Wednesday, there will be a 60 percent chance of showers with a high temperature near 62 degrees. The day will be cloudy and windy, with 10 to 20 mph west northwest winds; gusts could be as high as 25 mph.
Skies will be clear Wednesday night and the temperature will drop to about 35 degrees. The wind chill values will be as low as 28 degrees.
Thursday and Friday will be sunny with a high temperature near 55 degrees and 15 mph west northwest winds, weather experts said. The temperature will drop to about 34 degrees Thursday night and 41 degrees Friday night.
Advisory, Flood Watch
A coastal flood watch and high surf advisory remain in effect until 4 a.m. Thursday, weather experts said.
Seas are expected to reach 12 to 14 feet in the offshore Atlantic, producing breaking waves of 5 to 8 feet in the surf zone along beaches, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
“Breaking waves will cause rough surf, making it rather unpleasant for beachgoers, even hazardous if entering the surf,” the weather service said. “Rough surf can easily knock down those wading through surf waters.”
The rough surf is also expected to cause strong rip currents, especially near structures, including piers, jetties and reefs. Swimmers are discouraged from entering the water.
Beach erosion is also expected due to the rough surf.
The coastal flood watch was issued due to the prolonged period of high surf, according to the National Weather Service. Flooding could occur as the rough surf further erodes area beaches previously battered by last year’s storms and hurricanes.
How to protect yourself, your pets and plants from the cold weather
- Stay indoors with a safe heating source as much as possible.
- Dress in layers of loose-fitting warm clothing.
- When outdoors, wear a hat that covers your ears.
- Bring plants indoors or cover them with tarps, sheets or blankets.
- Keep pets indoors as much as possible. Pets that must be left outside should have an enclosed shelter with the entrance facing away from the wind.
- Be aware of the fire danger from space heaters, fireplaces and candles. Keep space heaters and flames at least 3 feet away from furniture, curtains or blankets. Shut off all space heaters when you leave the house or go to bed. Always make sure a fire is put out before you leave a room.