Thanksgiving Weekend Cold Outbreak Expected to Send Temperatures Plunging Across the Gulf Coast and Southeast as Arctic Air Surges Southward
UNITED STATES – A powerful surge of Arctic air is expected to sweep into the Gulf Coast and Southeast over Thanksgiving weekend, dramatically dropping temperatures after weeks of unusually warm weather. Forecast models show the coldest readings arriving late in the holiday period, with some areas plunging into 20°F or more below normal as the Arctic front pushes south.
Temperature Maps Show Deepening Cold Across the Central and Eastern U.S.
Forecast anomaly maps highlight a massive purple and blue zone of cold air spreading across the central U.S. and then expanding into the Southeast as Thanksgiving weekend approaches. Meteorologists warn that this cold pool may deliver the sharpest temperature drop of the season so far for many states east of the Rockies.
Parts of the Midwest could feel temperatures in the teens, while large sections of the South will experience highs far below seasonal norms.
Gulf Coast May See Highs Only in the 40s
The incoming Arctic air mass is expected to push temperatures along the Gulf Coast down into the 40s for much of the weekend, marking a dramatic departure from recent warmth. Many coastal cities—accustomed to mild late-November weather—may find themselves dealing with early-winter conditions instead.
This shift signals that the Gulf Coast may be entering what meteorologists describe as the “big jacket but refusing to admit it” phase of the season, as locals prepare for temperatures that feel more like early January than Thanksgiving.
Florida Will Not Be Spared From the Cold Surge
Although Florida often escapes the worst of early-season cold snaps, forecasters say this incoming Arctic surge will likely reach the Sunshine State as well. The chill is projected to slide in Sunday, bringing significantly cooler conditions compared to the holiday week’s earlier warmth.
Northern and central Florida may feel the largest impact, with daytime highs dropping sharply as the Arctic air spreads south.
Wind Chill Could Make Conditions Feel Even Colder
While actual temperatures will fall steeply, the apparent temperature—or what it feels like outside—may be even lower. Forecast graphics indicate wind chills in portions of the country dropping into the teens and single digits as the cold wave settles in.
For many areas, stepping outside may provide an abrupt reminder of what 17°F wind chills truly feel like just days after enjoying unseasonably warm weather.
Early Winter Conditions May Arrive Faster Than Expected
After weeks of warmth across the Gulf Coast and Southeast, meteorologists caution that this Arctic outbreak could mark the early arrival of winter for millions of residents. The pattern shift appears strong enough to sustain colder-than-normal temperatures as November ends and December begins.
Forecasters emphasize that the timing and intensity of the cold surge will continue to be monitored as Thanksgiving approaches, but confidence is growing in a significant weekend cooldown.
If you live in the Gulf Coast or Southeast, how are you preparing for the sudden temperature drop? Share your thoughts and stay updated with SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com for continuing coverage.
