OCALA, FL (352todaycom) – The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a frost advisory for Thursday morning until 9 a.m. The NWS says the low temperature will be around 36 degrees.

Here’s a look at the forecast from the NWS for the next 24 hours:

Tonight: Areas of frost after 3am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 36. North wind 3 to 7 mph.

Thursday: Areas of frost before 9am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 67. North wind 5 to 8 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. Northeast wind 3 to 6 mph.

PROTECTING THE THREE P’s – People, Pets & Plants
With temps taking a plunge, it’s time to protect the things most vulnerable to the cold – people, pets and plants.

PEOPLE: Shelters Opening
Some communities are opening up shelters for those in need.

Gainesville
The city of Gainesville is anticipating its cold night shelter program to be activated starting Wednesday night.

The city says when the mercury is forecast to drop below 45 degrees that triggers the city’s Cold Night Shelter (CNS) program. The program will remain in effect until temperatures rise are above 45 degrees. The CNS program normally runs from November 1 to March 31.

St. Francis House and GRACE Marketplace will be open to those in need. They will also remain open until temperatures are above 45 degrees. St. Francis primarily serves families, women, and children, and GRACE Marketplace typically serves individual adults, said the city in the news release.

Citrus County
A cold weather shelter will also open Wednesday night in Citrus County at the Nature Coast Community Church in Homosassa. The shelter is located at 5113 S. Suncoast Blvd. It will be open from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. They say the Family Resource Center will also open on Thursday morning for those in need.

The Citrus Cold Weather Shelter shared in a Facebook post they are expecting temperatures to drop as low at 36 degrees.

“We want as many people in the community to be safe, warm, and loved,” shared the shelter. The shelter says its services are not just for the homeless. They say many do not have adequate heat sources and they don’t want people in that situation to suffer either.

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They are asking citizens to spread the word that all are welcome to the shelter including pets. The shelter says they will be providing a warm dinner and breakfast, snacks, cots, and showers, if needed.

Citrus County transit is providing rides to and from the shelter. The last stop will be the orange line.

The shelter is also in need of donations and volunteers. You can drop donations off at the church during evening hours or call 352-234-3099 to make other arrangements.

If you’d like to be involved as a volunteer, the shelter says they are currently in need of a meal coordinator.

PETS: Don’t forget their needs
The American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says if it’s too cold for you, it’s likely too cold for your pets. The ASPCA says these are a couple of things to consider to keep your four-legged friends happy and healthy when it gets cold outside:

  • If possible, keep your pets inside where they can stay warm and dry
  • Don’t leave pets in the car as it can act like a refrigerator and hold in the cold air
  • Feed them a little extra in winter months to fuel their bodies to keep themselves warm
  • Make sure they have plenty of water to keep them and their skin properly hydrated

PLANTS: Cover or bring them inside
With widespread frost expected, sensitive plants may not survive the frost. The NWS says each plant species has a different tolerance to cold temperatures. Protect sensitive plants by covering them up before it gets cold to help retain heat amd bring in any tender potted plants.