Tallahassee, Florida – A surge of cold air is bringing hazardous wind chills and elevated fire weather conditions to parts of north Florida, south Georgia, and southeast Alabama through New Year’s morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, strong post-frontal winds, low humidity, and ongoing drought conditions are creating elevated fire weather concerns Tuesday, particularly across southwest Georgia and the broader Tri-State area. Northwest winds of 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph, combined with afternoon humidity in the mid to upper 20 percent range, increase the risk of rapid fire spread. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
At the same time, hazardous cold temperatures and wind chills are affecting the region. Wind chills early Tuesday ranged from the upper teens to low 20s, with afternoon temperatures only reaching the upper 20s to mid-30s in many areas.
The coldest period is expected late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, when temperatures fall into the mid to upper 20s, and isolated hard freezes below 25 degrees are possible. Sub-freezing temperatures are most likely across inland portions of north Florida and southwest Georgia.
The National Weather Service urges residents to protect people, pets, plants, and pipes, and to use caution with any activities that could spark fires, including equipment use, cigarette disposal, and parking vehicles on dry grass.
For outdoor workers, commuters, and holiday travelers, the combination of cold wind chills and increased wildfire risk presents dual hazards through midweek. Conditions are expected to gradually improve later Wednesday as winds ease and temperatures slowly moderate.
Residents should continue monitoring official updates as cold and fire weather conditions evolve heading into the New Year.
