MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – The 352 is about to get hit with another round of some of the coldest weather yet, as a polar vortex bearing down on the eastern seaboard brings freezing overnight temperatures to the area. There is even the not-insignificant possibility of snow flurries in northern parts of the region.
While the North Central Florida region should be spared the kind of blackouts and life-endangering environmental factors currently plaguing the states to our north, we’re looking at a couple of days’ worth of subfreezing nighttime temps, which kick in a number of notices and resources.
Here’s everything we know about what’s coming; this story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Freeze and Extreme Cold warnings
A freeze warning is in effect for a majority of North Central Florida until at least 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon, as overnight temperatures are expected to drop as low as 20 degrees Saturday night, and gusty winds will bring the “feels like” expectation down to single digits, which means there’s also been an extreme cold warning declared.
Cold weather shelters
At press time, various municipalities in the 352 have announced that shelters will be opening tonight.
City of Gainesville: Gainesville’s Cold Night Shelter Program, which kicks in whenever temperatures are expected to drop below 45 degrees, will remain in effect through Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. Shelter is available at both St. Francis House (413 S. Main St.) and GRACE Marketplace at the Empowerment Center (3055 NE 28th Dr.). The former is appropriate for families, women and children, while the latter primarily serves individual adults.
Lake County: Lake County will operate two overnight shelters Saturday and Sunday nights:
Salvation Army, 2605 South St., Leesburg
- Saturday, Jan. 31 (opens at 5 p.m. Saturday; closes at 7 a.m. Sunday)
- Sunday, Feb. 1 (opens at 5 p.m. Sunday; closes at 7 a.m. Monday)
Hope International Church, 13806 FL-33, Groveland
- Saturday, Jan. 31 (opens at 5 p.m. Saturday; closes at 7 a.m. Sunday)
- Sunday, Feb. 1 (opens at 5 p.m. Sunday; closes at 7 a.m. Monday)
Lake County is also operating a daytime warming shelter at the Leesburg Salvation Army from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Residents can text COLD to 888-777 for cold-weather updates.
Marion County: Marion’s primary cold weather shelter is the Salvation Army Center of Hope located at 320 NW 1st Ave. in Ocala. A hot dinner is typically served at 5 p.m., with check-in beginning at 6 p.m.
Sumter County: The primary shelter for Sumter County is The Refuge at Jumper Creek located at 4912 SE 7th Dr. in Bushnell; their phone number is 352-568-8400. Residents can call the Sumter County Citizen Information Line at 352-689-4400 for up-to-date information.
Cold weather mitigation
- Remember the “three Ps” of unusually cold weather–your People, your Pets and your Plants.
- Keep your phones charged and handy to stay up to date with the latest information and weather reports.
- Gusty winds can blow yard furniture and debris around. Make sure your property is free of potential projectiles–you don’t want to be chasing down items or making repairs out in the cold.