VERO BEACH — A charitable organization will open its doors as wind chill values were projected to drop to the 30s on Monday night in Vero Beach, according to officials. The dip in temperatures is linked to the Arctic blast happening in the U.S., bringing frigid air, snow squalls and dangerous wind chills to millions across the nation, according to meteorologists.
“The temperatures are below normal (for this time of year) for Vero Beach,” said Derrick Weitlich, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne. “Make sure you dress warm. Dress in layers.”
The Salvation Army Vero Beach branch will operate as a cold weather shelter from 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26 to 7 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27. Clients will be accepted until 9 p.m. on Monday.
The shelter is located at 2655 5th Street S.W., north of Oslo Road and northwest of South County Park. Light meals will be provided at the shelter, according to The Salvation Army officials.
The shelter will serve the first 40 people who register. Residents can register on site or by calling The Salvation Army at 772-453-5383.
“Please take protective actions for vulnerable populations, pets, and plants/agricultural products, and use caution when operating indoor heating sources,” representatives from The Salvation Army said in a statement. The American Red Cross, along with United Way of Indian River County, were supporting the shelter operations at The Salvation Army.
Vero Beach was expected to have a low temperature near 45 degrees Monday night with a wind chill in the upper 30s overnight, meteorologists said. The sky will be mostly clear and wind gusts will be as high as 30 mph.
Tuesday will be sunny with a high temperature near 60 degrees. The temp will dip to about 42 degrees in the evening, with a wind chill in the lower 30s overnight, Weitlich said.
Even with the cold weather, Vero Beach was not expected to have freezing temperatures this week, Weitlich said. But, another cold front will hit the area later in the week.
Weitlich advised residents to keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything flammable. Any pets should be brought inside.
“Keep an eye out for the forecast for the weekend,” Weitlich said.
