REMINDERS: HEATERS MAY SMELL. OPEN YOUR FLUE. LEAVE GENERATORS OUTSIDE.
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — The Palm Beach County Emergency Operations Center is now activated to a level 3 as the extreme cold is just hours away. Shelters are open. Free bus rides are available from points across the county. And forecasters now say temperatures may drop into the low 20s, with windchills significantly lower.
Before the shelter update, a few reminders:
Your heater may smell when you turn it on. That is normal and not necessarily a reason to call 911.
NEVER put a generator in your house.
IF YOU HAVE A FIREPLACE and you plan to use it, make sure the flue is open.
Here is the latest update from Palm Beach County. We are again publishing bus pick-up locations.
The Palm Beach County Division of Emergency Management (DEM) has activated the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to a Level III – Enhanced Monitoring due to anticipated cold weather.
The National Weather Service (NWS) is tracking a cold weather system which will bring very cold temperatures to South Florida beginning Saturday night into early Sunday morning, lasting through Monday. Lows will range from the mid to upper 20s around Lake Okeechobee to the lower to upper 30s along the coast. Wind chills will range from the upper teens to low 20s around Lake Okeechobee to the lower 20s along the east coast region. These temperatures could cause extreme risk of potential frostbite and hypothermia, likely with prolonged exposure and major damage to unprotected vegetation.
With these anticipated temperatures, Palm Beach County is preparing to activate the Cold Weather Shelter Program beginning Saturday, January 31 at 7:00 P.M.
On Saturday, January 31, Sunday, February 1, and Monday, February 2, 2026 the following cold weather shelters will open overnight each evening beginning at 7:00 P.M. and close at 9:00 A.M. each morning.
Salvation Army Center of Hope 1577 N Military Trail #1 West Palm Beach, FL 33409 Belle Glade Transitional Shelter and Lake Village at the Glades 341 NW 11th Street Belle Glade, FL 33430 Palm Tran Connection will begin bus pickups to the established routes at 6 P.M. and 7:30 P.M.
For more information, visit the official PBC cold weather website.
