Valdosta, Georgia – Communities along the Florida–Georgia line are facing an extended period of colder-than-normal weather as lingering cold air across the Southeast keeps the potential for additional wintry impacts elevated through mid-February, following one of the most expansive winter storms of the season.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, temperatures across southern Georgia and northern Florida are expected to remain below normal through the Feb. 7–20 period. While widespread heavy snow is unlikely this far south, the persistence of cold air raises the risk for hard freezes, frost, and occasional wintry precipitation if storm systems track far enough south.
The renewed concern follows Winter Storm Fern, a massive system that swept from Texas to Maine and impacted more than two dozen states. Fern brought rare winter weather deep into the Southeast, including snow and ice across parts of Georgia and the Carolinas. Even light wintry precipitation near the Florida–Georgia border caused hazardous travel on elevated roadways and bridges, highlighting the region’s vulnerability during cold outbreaks.
As cold conditions linger, communities from Valdosta and Thomasville to Tifton, Waycross, and parts of north Florida could see repeated cold mornings and localized travel concerns, particularly during overnight and early morning hours. Georgia DOT and Florida DOT officials warn that bridges and overpasses along Interstate 75, U.S. 84, and U.S. 301 can become slick quickly during cold snaps.
Emergency management officials are urging residents to prepare now by protecting exposed pipes, bringing sensitive plants indoors, and checking heating systems. Drivers are encouraged to use caution during early commutes and monitor local advisories closely.
While the exact timing of any wintry episode remains uncertain, forecasters say the broader pattern supports continued cold-related impacts. Additional advisories may be issued as confidence increases, with below-normal temperatures remaining a concern along the Florida–Georgia line through mid-February.
