Deep South States Brace for Unexpected Winter Chill

Freeze Watches and Cold Weather Advisories issued as Arctic air sweeps into typically warm regions

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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Several states in the Deep South, including Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi, are facing plummeting temperatures and winter weather advisories over the next couple of days. The National Weather Service has issued Freeze Watches and Cold Weather Advisories for these areas, warning residents to protect "People, Pets, Plants, and Pipes" from the extreme cold and potential freezing conditions.

Why it matters

While the Deep South is known for its mild winters, this unexpected Arctic blast is a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of extreme weather events driven by climate change. The impact on vulnerable populations, agriculture, and infrastructure in these typically warm-weather states highlights the need for greater preparedness and resilience planning.

The details

The National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Watch for portions of northeast and north central Florida as well as southeast Georgia, warning of freezing temperatures that could damage sensitive vegetation and pose risks to outdoor pets and the homeless. Similar Cold Weather Advisories have been issued for parts of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi, with wind chills potentially dropping as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit and raising concerns about hypothermia.

  • The Freeze Watch in Florida and Georgia is in effect from Thursday night into Friday morning.
  • The Cold Weather Advisories in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi are in effect from midnight tonight through 8 AM local time on Thursday.

The players

National Weather Service (NWS)

The primary government agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing weather-related alerts and advisories in the United States.

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What’s next

Authorities in the affected states are urging residents to take necessary precautions to protect themselves, their pets, plants, and pipes from the extreme cold. Local emergency management agencies are also monitoring the situation and may provide additional guidance or resources as needed.

The takeaway

This unexpected winter weather event in the typically mild Deep South underscores the growing unpredictability of extreme climate patterns. It serves as a wake-up call for these warm-weather states to reevaluate their preparedness and resilience plans to better protect vulnerable populations and critical infrastructure from the impacts of increasingly erratic and severe weather conditions.