Andrew's Wandering Mind

10495.3

Ah, so it does get chilly here in North Florida sometimes, and not just in North Florida. All but 12 of Georgia's 159 counties have a "Hard Freeze Warning," (temps in the mid-20s for 2+ hours) as do parts of South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisana and Texas. For tonight, there is a "Hard Freeze Warning" for 45 Florida counties and a *cough* "Winter Weather Advisory" for 20 others leaving only Miami-Dade county and Monroe county (the Keys and extreme SW Florida) warning-free.

I just have to quote this explanation of when a winter weather advisory (in this case, for wind chill) is issued... because it's kinda funny:

..Issued When A Strong Wind Will Combine With Cold Temperatures To Create Very Cold Conditions For Exposed Skin. The Wind Will Make It Feel Like It Is 35 Degrees For A Period Of Several Hours. Those Planning To Venture Outdoors Should Use Common Sense And Dress Warmly, Making Sure That All Exposed Skin Is Covered.

But for Heaven's sake, since it's going to be almost freezing outside, please spend most of the day fretting over whether going outside at all is worth the risk.

Keep Pets Indoors As Much As Possible. If This Is Not Possible... Make Sure Outdoor Pets Have Warm Dry Shelter... And Provide Sufficient Food And Fresh Unfrozen Water.

Unfrozen water. Right, there's such a shortage of that in Florida, y'know.

Fortunately, there is also this point. Yay for spelling out common sense:

And The Homeless Are Especially Vulnerable To The Cold. Take Measures To Protect Them

And then there's this dire warning:

If You Must Go Outside... Remember That Several Layers Of Clothes Willkeep You Warmer Than A Single Heavy Coat. A Hat Is Also Important As 20 Percent Of Body Heat Loss Is Through The Head.

The Wind Chill advisory for Duval county (Jacksonville), where the wind chills are to be 25°F or lower for several hours contains this additional bit of motherly advice:

Be Sure To Wear Mittens To Protect Yourself From The Dangers Of Frostbite.

Mittens? Who in Florida even owns mittens? What adult in most of the southern half of the US, for that matter?

Now, to be fair, in some of the central Florida counties closer to the "Hard Freeze" area, the wind chills will get down into the teens, which is cold, and when you're not used to it, that's really cold. Yet, under these terms, South Dakota and most neighboring states would be under a continuous, months-long "Winter Weather Advisory" every year. Guess there's a reason much of that area is made of large states with one area code each and three or four electoral votes.

Cheers,
Andrew