Major Southern Freeze Expected as Arctic Cold Targets Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Tennessee Next Week
LOUISIANA — A sharp blast of Arctic air is set to plunge across the Southern United States next week, bringing widespread freezes, hard-freeze conditions, and some of the coldest temperatures of the season to states stretching from Texas to Florida. Meteorologists warn that winter is far from over, and temperatures will fall rapidly once a strong cold front arrives Monday, with the chill lingering well into the New Year.
Cold Front Expected to Deliver Widespread Freezing Temperatures
Forecast guidance shows temperatures dropping into the 20s and low 30s across much of the South, reaching well below seasonal averages. Cities from Dallas, Houston, and Shreveport to Birmingham, Atlanta, and Jacksonville will experience morning lows cold enough to cause freeze impacts for multiple days.
Early Wednesday morning lows are projected to fall to:
• 35°F in Dallas and San Antonio
• 34°F in Houston and New Orleans
• 29°F in Little Rock, Mobile, and Augusta
• 23–25°F across Birmingham, Montgomery, Meridian, and Starkville
• 27°F in Atlanta
• 31°F in Savannah and Jacksonville
• 41°F in Orlando
Forecasters note that a hard freeze is likely north of major lakes and higher elevations, where temperatures may drop even lower.
Hard Freeze Potential and Winter Hazards
The approaching cold front is expected to produce two consecutive freeze nights, with some regions hitting the lower 20s, especially across Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and northern Georgia.
Key winter hazards include:
• Damage to exposed pipes
• Risk to pets and livestock
• Possible harm to sensitive vegetation
• Hazardously cold wind chills in some areas
Officials encourage residents to prepare now, as temperatures will fall quickly after the front passes.
Winter Chill Expected to Continue Into the New Year
Unlike brief cold snaps earlier this season, this Arctic push is expected to settle in and persist, keeping much of the South in a prolonged cold pattern. Meteorologists say the chill could influence holiday travel, morning commutes, and outdoor activities during the first several days of 2026.
Residents across the region should monitor updated local forecasts and take freeze precautions before temperatures drop sharply. Stay updated with the latest forecasts and weather coverage at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com
