Atlanta, Georgia – The Southeast is entering an extended period of elevated winter weather risk as lingering cold air across the region keeps the potential for additional snow and ice events alive through mid-February, following one of the most expansive winter storms to impact the region in years.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, below-normal temperatures are expected to persist across much of the Southeast through the Feb. 7–20 period. With cold air holding firm, any storm system tracking across the Gulf Coast, Tennessee Valley, or southern Appalachians could produce snow, sleet, or freezing rain, particularly during overnight and early morning hours.
The renewed concern comes on the heels of Winter Storm Fern, a massive system that swept from Texas to Maine and impacted more than two dozen states. Fern delivered rare and disruptive winter weather across the Southeast, bringing snow and ice into portions of Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and South Carolina. Travel conditions deteriorated along major corridors including Interstates 20, 40, 65, 75, and 85, while school closures, power outages, and widespread delays were reported across multiple states.
As cold conditions linger, communities from the southern Appalachians through the Piedmont and into parts of the Deep South could face renewed disruptions if similarly strong systems develop. Transportation officials across the region warn that repeated cold snaps increase the risk of icy bridges and overpasses, which can become hazardous quickly even with light precipitation.
Emergency management agencies are urging residents to prepare now by insulating exposed pipes, checking heating systems, and restocking winter emergency supplies. Drivers are encouraged to avoid non-essential travel during wintry weather and to monitor local alerts closely.
While the exact timing of future systems remains uncertain, forecasters say the overall pattern supports continued winter threats. Additional advisories and warnings may be issued as confidence increases, with cold air and the potential for snow or ice likely remaining a recurring concern across the Southeast through mid-February.
