When does snow and ice hit our area? Here’s a detailed look

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With a severe and rare winter storm approaching our area, we wanted to look at the timing of widespread ice and even snow unusually close to Jacksonville.

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By Tuesday night, precipitation will turn from rain to freezing rain and sleet as temperatures plunge below freezing after sunset.

The shift will first occur north of the Florida-Georgia state line Tuesday evening, later affecting areas south, including Gainesville, and as far east as Elkton after midnight.

Ice will be the most hazardous conditions expected in western Duval and Baker counties.

In Duval County, freezing rain could begin to accumulate by 11:00 PM Tuesday and stick to surfaces until 11:00 AM. 11:00 a.m. Wednesday.

From western Duval to the Suwannee River Valley, a quarter-inch of ice accumulation could lead to major travel disruptions.

A winter storm warning is in effect for downtown Jacksonville east to the beaches and coastal Nassau County due to the combination of mixed precipitation and ice accumulations of one-tenth of an inch plus one-half inch of sleet/snow, posing a severe risk to travel and supplies .

Snow is likely in Georgia Tuesday night

Snow is expected to start around 19 on Tuesday evening and last until 8 Wednesday, likely north and west of a line around Waycross.

Accumulations of 1-2 inches are likely, with some models suggesting up to 4 inches across northern Florida and southeast Georgia. Rain mixed with sleet is possible in Northeast Florida, but any accumulations are unlikely to accumulate.

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While coastal areas will remain slightly warmer, with lows in the upper 30s/low 40s, areas west of St. Johns River will drop into the low 30s, and areas west of Highway 301 will reach the upper 20s.

Southeast Georgia is expected to experience even colder lows in the low to mid 20s, bringing the potential for a hard freeze.