Forecast Models Show Potential Arctic Blast Bringing Dangerous Wind Chills to Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and Tennessee on December 13
SOUTHEAST UNITED STATES — A powerful Arctic air mass may plunge into Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and Tennessee next Saturday, December 13, bringing dangerously low wind chills and the coldest temperatures the region has seen so far this season. Early model guidance indicates a sharp but brief outbreak, though forecasters emphasize that the intensity remains uncertain, especially across central and northern Alabama.
Wind Chill Values Could Drop Into the Teens and Single Digits
The latest GFS model run highlights a significant drop in apparent temperatures across the Southeast. If the forecast holds, Birmingham could feel wind chills in the teens, while locations farther north—such as Huntsville, The Shoals, and parts of Tennessee—may experience single-digit wind chills early Saturday morning.
Meteorologists caution that the model shown represents a worst-case scenario, as the European model trend is not quite as severe. Still, the potential for a sharp Arctic intrusion remains high enough that residents should prepare for unusually cold conditions.
This Arctic push is expected to arrive quickly and depart just as fast, but even a short-lived surge of this magnitude can create hazardous conditions for vulnerable populations, pets, and unprotected plumbing.
Cold Air Surge Expected to Be Brief but Intense
Forecasters expect the cold blast to arrive late Friday into early Saturday, peaking during the morning hours of December 13. The rapid temperature decline—combined with northerly winds behind the front—will drive wind chills much lower than the actual air temperature.
While the outbreak looks short-lived, the brief intensity is the primary concern. Even a few hours of wind chills in the single digits to teens can impact agriculture, outdoor workers, and anyone without adequate protection from the cold.
Forecast confidence remains moderate, with meteorologists monitoring how the Arctic air funnels southward and whether the core of the cold targets northern Alabama and Tennessee more directly.
Residents Encouraged to Prepare Ahead of the Arctic Arrival
Even though the cold snap may not last long, forecasters recommend preparing now. Steps include protecting exposed pipes, ensuring outdoor pets have warm shelter, and checking that heating systems function properly before temperatures plunge.
Residents across Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and Tennessee should monitor updates through midweek as models refine the depth and reach of the incoming Arctic air.
Have you already started preparing for next weekend’s cold blast? Share your local updates and follow continued coverage at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
