Temperatures are expected to drop below freezing tonight, and officers are warning drivers about staying safe in the cold, stormy conditions.
The National Weather Service said there will be a hard freeze from tonight until Wednesday morning with temperatures falling to the mid- and upper-20s. Highs are expected to reach the 70s again this weekend.
As the cool weather rolled in Monday, heavy winds and downed trees were reported to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office during a tornado watch that lasted until 6 p.m. By early afternoon, sheriff’s office spokeswoman Becky Butscher reported six accidents, one of which involved injuries.
Drivers are reminded to use headlights instead of hazard lights in the rain and fog, she said. When people pass emergency vehicles on the road, they are expected to stay calm and shift lanes.
She said some people stop or slow down to take photos, which can cause problems.
“More importantly, people just need to pay attention to the road,” she said.
[A version of this story ran on page 1 on 11/18/2014]
