Buresh Blog: Average date for last freeze...January numbers...Severe weather awareness...Night skies
After a very cold January, it's spring fever for the first couple of weeks of February. January was the 9th coldest on record for Jacksonville... & the 8th wettest.
Which begs the question 'Is Winter Over??' The short answer is probably not. Though as of this writing, no cold air is in sight for NE Fl./SE Ga. through at least Valentine's Day. But if history is any indication - not to mention what looks to be the evolving weather pattern over the U.S. Lower 48 - don't get too eager to begin gardening. The average last freeze for most inland areas of NE Fl. & SE Ga. is Feb. 20th or later & is Feb. 25th for inland Duval Co.
For Jacksonville since 2022, the first 80s occurred in January but temps. as cold as the 30s - including inland frost - occurred well into March. And the latest freeze on record at JIA is April 8, 2007 (31 degrees).
The week of Feb. 3rd is 'Severe Weather Awareness Week' - more info. * here * from the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
February night skies courtesy 'Sky and Telescope':
Feb. 6 (evening): The Moon, one day past first quarter, is 5° above Jupiter, with Aldebaran anchoring a ragged line.
Feb. 9 (dusk): Look east to see the waxing gibbous Moon, Mars, and Pollux forming a flat isosceles triangle in Gemini.
Feb. 12 (evening): The full Moon and Regulus, Leo's brightest star, rise in the east with a mere 1½° between them.
Feb. 17 (morning): Face south to see the waning gibbous Moon 1° right of Spica, Virgo's lucida.
Feb. 21 (morning): The waning crescent Moon accompanies Antares, the fiery heart of the Scorpion, as they rise above the southeastern horizon separated by only 1°.
Feb. 24 (dusk): Look low in the west 30 to 45 minutes after sunset to spot Mercury and Saturn less than 1½° apart. You'll need a clear, long view to the horizon.
Feb. 28 (dusk): The thinnest sliver of the Moon, just past new, is 3° below Mercury low in the west-southwest. You'll need binoculars to spot the lunar crescent. Venus blazes above them.
Moon Phases
First Quarter February 5 3:02 a.m. EST
Full Moon February 12 8:53 a.m. EST (Snow Moon)
Last Quarter February 20 12:33 p.m. EST
New Moon February 27 7:45 p.m. EST
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We will provide weather coverage as conditions warrant. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida heat continues. Cold front could bring dip in temps, rain Solve the daily Crossword
