OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The chill in the air the next few nights will be perfect for snuggling up on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate or lighting a fire in the outdoor fire pit. But for others less fortunate the dropping temps are not just uncomfortable, they’re dangerous.

That’s why several communities across north-central Florida are activating cold night programs and opening up shelters. The low temp threshold varies by community. Generally, it’s any time the temperature will be below 45 degrees.

The National Weather Service (NWS) says the overnight low temp for north-central Florida will be in the 30s Monday night and Tuesday night.

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Gainesville
St. Francis House and GRACE Marketplace will be open to those in need of shelter. Shelters will be accessible until temperatures rise above 45 degrees.

St. Francis House serves families, women, and children, and GRACE Marketplace mainly serves ‘individual adults’ said the city in a news release.

Citrus County
Shelters will also be available to those in need in Citrus County.

The Citrus Cold Weather Shelter in Homosassa will be open Monday and Tuesday and said in a Facebook post it will be “cautiously watching the rest of the week ahead with multiple days teetering with the temps.”

The shelter is located at the Nature Coast Community Center at 5113 S. Suncoast Boulevard. Citrus County Transit will provide free transportation for those who need a ride.

The Citrus shelter says it needs volunteers Monday or Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. They say they especially need overnight female volunteers. If you can help, call 352-234-3099.

OCALA FORECAST

Here’s your day-by-day outlook from the NWS:

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 39. Northwest wind 6 to 8 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 55. North wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 17 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38. North wind 5 to 8 mph.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 63. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.