Houston, Texas – The Gulf Coast remains locked in an unusually cold and dry weather pattern during the Feb 5–9 stretch, with below-normal temperatures extending from southeast Texas through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle. While snow and ice are not expected, the persistence of the cold will continue to pose risks, particularly overnight and during early morning hours.
According to the National Weather Service and NOAA outlooks, Arctic air entrenched across the eastern U.S. continues to spill southward, keeping temperatures several degrees below seasonal averages along the Gulf Coast. Despite the cold air mass, precipitation chances remain limited, leaving the region dry but chilly for much of the period.
In Houston and New Orleans, daytime highs are expected to struggle into the 50s at times, with overnight lows frequently dipping into the 30s and lower 40s. Farther east along the Gulf Coast, including Mobile and Pensacola, similar conditions are expected, with cool mornings and breezy afternoons adding to the chill. While freezing temperatures are unlikely for coastal areas, inland communities may flirt with frost during the coldest mornings.
The prolonged cold follows recent weeks in which nearly 100 temperature-related deaths have been reported across southern states, underscoring the danger of extended cold exposure even in typically mild climates. Officials urge residents to use space heaters safely, protect pets and sensitive plants, and check on elderly neighbors and those without reliable heat.
The cold, mostly dry pattern is expected to persist through the stretch, with additional advisories possible if colder air pushes farther south or lingers longer than expected.
