Tallahassee, Florida – Another surge of Arctic air is expected to move into the Florida Panhandle and south Georgia late this week, bringing the potential for hard freezes and dangerously cold wind chills this weekend.
According to the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, a strong cold front is forecast to pass through the region on Friday, followed by significantly colder air Saturday through Monday. Forecast confidence is increasing that overnight temperatures may fall to or below 25 degrees, especially Saturday and Sunday nights, raising concerns for hard freezes across inland areas.
Wind chill forecasts show single-digit wind chills possible Saturday night into Sunday morning, particularly across portions of south Georgia and the eastern Florida Panhandle. While daytime highs may rebound into the 40s and 50s, cold mornings are expected to persist.
Cities including Tallahassee, Albany, Bainbridge, Dothan, Valdosta, and Cross City are all within the area of concern. Travel corridors such as Interstate 10, Interstate 75, U.S. Highway 319, U.S. Highway 84, and U.S. Highway 82 may experience the coldest early morning conditions, especially in rural and low-lying areas.
The National Weather Service notes that hard freezes are likely, with a 70 to 100 percent chance of temperatures at or below freezing in some locations this weekend. These conditions could damage sensitive plants, stress exposed pipes, and pose risks to pets and livestock.
Residents are urged to prepare now by protecting pipes, bringing pets indoors, and checking on vulnerable neighbors. While no winter precipitation is expected, the prolonged cold may still impact early morning commutes and outdoor plans.
Students, agricultural workers, and early-shift commuters may experience the greatest impacts, particularly during overnight and pre-dawn hours.
Forecasters emphasize that while exact temperatures may still change, the trend toward hazardous cold is becoming more likely, and residents should continue monitoring official updates through the week.
