Escambia County Urging Drivers To Stay Off The Road
January 21, 2025
Escambia County in encouraging residents to say home and off the roadways Tuesday and Wednesday as snow and ice are expected to create hazardous driving conditions. The county is under a winter storm warning into Wednesday morning.
“Our message is simple: Stay home and stay off the roadways,” Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore said. “The safety of our residents is our top priority, and road conditions will be unsafe for drivers over the next couple of days due to snow and ice. It is not worth the risk – please stay home and stay safe.”
According to NWS Mobile, snow is expected in Northwest Florida by Tuesday afternoon before tapering off in the late evening hours.
Escambia County Public Works crews will sanded bridges late Monday afternoon to prepare for snow and ice.
File photo.
Winter Storm Warning: Significant Snow, Extreme Cold
January 20, 2025
WINTER WEATHER INFO
- We are expecting a SIGNIFICANT winter storm across the area
- Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the area 6am Tuesday through 6am Wednesday
- There is a HIGH chance of accumulating wintry precipitation on Tuesday, producing moderate to major impacts to the area.
- The timing of accumulating snow begins as early as Tuesday morning and continues into the evening
- Most likely snow amounts are between 2-4 inches, although locally 4-5 inches of snow cannot be ruled out
- Areas along the immediate coast have a chance of a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain, which would reduce the amount of snow that accumulates (recent trends suggest it may be mostly snow)
- Hazardous travel and disruptions are INCREASINGLY LIKELY
- EXTREME COLD WARNING IN EFFECT – Dangerously cold wind chills as low as 10 to 15 degrees along the coast and as low as 6 to 10 degrees inland expected. Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to wind chills as low as 5 to 10 degrees.
OFFICIAL NORTH ESCAMBIA FORECAST
Tonight: Increasing clouds, with a low around 25. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Snow, mainly after noon. High near 31. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow before midnight. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 15. Wind chill values between 5 and 10. North wind around 10 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 35. Wind chill values between 5 and 15. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 18. Calm wind.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 44. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 23. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 47. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 24. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 52.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64.
Early Voting Opened Monday, Closed Tuesday, Reopening Wednesday With Extended Hours
January 20, 2025
Early voting for the 2025 Special Primary Election will be open with extended hours Monday and again Wednesday through Saturday. Early voting locations will be closed Tuesday due to winter weather conditions.
All seven early voting sites will be open from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Early voting continues through Saturday, January 25.
Early voting sites are:
- Escambia County Extension Services, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A North, Molino
- Bellview Library, 6425 Mobile Highway, Pensacola
- Asbury Place at Cokesbury, 750 College Blvd, Pensacola
- Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor, Pensacola
- Main Library, 239 N. Spring Street, Pensacola
- Southwest Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
Eligible voters may choose any one of the seven available locations, each of which is also equipped with a ballot marking device.
Three Early Vote locations that were open during the 2024 Election Cycle will not be open for the 2025 Special Primary Election. Those three locations are:
- Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century
- UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts in Pensacola
- Brownsville Community Center
The 2025 Special Primary Election is for Republican voters only. The State of Florida holds closed primary elections, meaning only registered Republicans will be eligible for the 2025 Special Primary Election.
Pictured: Early voting at the Molino Community Center during the 2024 election cycle. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge
Escambia County To Begin Sanding Bridges Monday Afternoon
January 20, 2025
Escambia County will sand bridges across the county beginning Monday afternoon in advance of anticipated winter precipitation on Tuesday.
Sand improves traction in the event of ice on a bridge.
Pictured: Escambia County work crews sand bridges in 2021. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Schools Are Closed On Tuesday
January 19, 2025
Schools in Escambia County in Florida and Alabama are closed on Tuesday, and those in Alabama have also announced that they are closed on Wednesday. Santa Rosa County Schools are also closed.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA
Escambia County Public Schools Superintendent Keith Leonard has announced that schools and district offices will be closed on Tuesday, January 21. due to possible extremely low temperatures and wintry weather in the area.
The National Weather Service forecasts severe cold weather moving through the area on Tuesday, with the possibility of dangerously low temperatures and wind chills. In an abundance of caution, all schools, district offices, and afterschool activities, including indoor and outdoor athletics, have been canceled for Tuesday, January 21, 2025.
Tuesday night’s School Board meeting is cancelled and will be rescheduled at a later date.
Updates will be posted here on NorthEscambia.com.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Due to extremely cold temperatures and winter weather potential, all Santa Rosa County Schools and district offices will be closed on both Tuesday, January 21 and Wednesday, January 22. All district afterschool activities for Tuesday, January 21 and Wednesday, January 22 are cancelled as well.
“This decision was made with the safety of our students and staff as our top priority, in collaboration with the National Weather Service of Mobile and the Santa Rosa Emergency Management Office,” the district said.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, ALABAMA
Escambia County (AL) Schools will be closed on Tuesday, January 21, and Wednesday, January 22.
All sports practices, games, and extracurricular activities scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday are canceled.
The safety of our students, staff, and bus transportation is our top priority,” Superintendent Michele W. Collier said. “Based on the latest forecasts and potential hazards, we believe this is the best course of action to ensure everyone’s well-being. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as necessary regarding any further changes to school operating schedules.”
Updates will be posted here on NorthEscambia.com.
Winter Storm Watch: Snow By Tuesday
January 19, 2025
A WINTER STORM WATCH AND AN EXTREME COLD WARNING ARE IN EFFECT.
Here is the complete North Escambia area forecast
M.L.King Day: Sunny, with a high near 39. Wind chill values between 10 and 20. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 24. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Snow, mainly after noon. High near 32. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday Night: Snow likely, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 34. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 18. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 42. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 22. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 45.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 23.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 52.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
Early Voting Open With Extended Hours Ahead Of Winter Weather
January 18, 2025
Early voting opened Saturday in Escambia County for the 2025 Special Primary Election with extended hours ahead of uncertain winter weather next week.
Through Monday, all seven early voting sites will be open from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Early voting continues through Saturday, January 25. Any changes in early voting hours beyond Monday will be made as expected weather conditions become clearer.
Early voting sites are:
- Escambia County Extension Services, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A North, Molino
- Bellview Library, 6425 Mobile Highway, Pensacola
- Asbury Place at Cokesbury, 750 College Blvd, Pensacola
- Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor, Pensacola
- Main Library, 239 N. Spring Street, Pensacola
- Southwest Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
Eligible voters may choose any one of the seven available locations, each of which is also equipped with a ballot marking device.
Three early voting sights that were open
Three Early Vote locations that were open during the 2024 Election Cycle will not be open for the 2025 Special Primary Election. Those three locations are:
- Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century
- UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts in Pensacola
- Brownsville Community Center
The 2025 Special Primary Election is for Republican voters only. The State of Florida holds closed primary elections, meaning only registered Republicans will be eligible for the 2025 Special Primary Election.
Pictured: Early voting at the Molino Community Center during the 2024 election cycle. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge
Tuesday Snow Chance Up To 80%
January 18, 2025
Here is the complete North Escambia area forecast
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a temperature falling to around 40 by 5pm. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 20. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
M.L.King Day: Sunny, with a high near 38. North wind around 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: A slight chance of snow before noon, then snow, possibly mixed with freezing rain and sleet. High near 34. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday Night: Snow likely, possibly mixed with freezing rain and sleet before midnight, then a slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 34. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 19.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 25.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53.
Rain Tonight; Possible Snow Next Week
January 17, 2025
Here is the complete North Escambia area forecast
Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Temperature falling to near 52 by 9pm, then rising to around 61 during the remainder of the night. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Saturday: A chance of showers before 9am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9am and noon, then a chance of showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 48. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 20. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
M.L.King Day: Sunny, with a high near 38. North wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Snow likely, possibly mixed with freezing rain and sleet, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A chance of snow, freezing rain, and sleet before midnight, then a slight chance of snow and freezing rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. North wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 38.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 46.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 49.
EREC Plans Power Outage For Wallace Substation In North Santa Rosa Beginning Tonight
January 17, 2025
Escambia River Electric Cooperative (EREC) has announced a scheduled power outage for late Friday night into early Saturday morning, impacting customers in parts of northern Santa Rosa County.
The outage is set to begin at 10 p.m. Friday and is expected to last approximately four hours, with a projected end time of 2 a.m. on Saturday. It will impact cooperative customers served by the Wallace substation (depicted on the map in blue, click to enlarge.). This includes customers along and near portions of Willard Norris Road, Chumuckla Highway, Tidwell Road, and Quintette Road.
“We will be reconnecting service from the portable substation to the new Wallace substation. The same members that were affected during our first planned outage in August will be affected during this outage. We apologize for the inconvenience,” EREC said.
Editior’s note: End time updated to 2 a.m.
Graphic for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.