Tallahassee, Florida – A sharp winter cold surge is set to sweep across the Florida Panhandle, south Georgia, and southeast Alabama late Sunday into Monday morning, bringing dangerously cold wind chills and a growing risk of a hard freeze that could damage crops, pets, and exposed plumbing.
A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect from 1 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday, while a Freeze Watch has been issued for late Sunday night through Monday morning across much of the region. According to the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, wind chills could plunge as low as 14 degrees inland, with coastal areas seeing wind chills in the upper teens. Actual temperatures may fall into the low 20s across parts of southwest Georgia and southeast Alabama, with upper 20s possible even near the coast.
Counties impacted include areas around Albany, Valdosta, Dothan, Bainbridge, Thomasville, Moultrie, and Enterprise, along with coastal communities from Panama City to Apalachicola and Port St. Joe. Gusty northerly winds will amplify the cold, making it feel significantly colder than the thermometer reads during the pre-dawn hours.
According to emergency management officials, this cold snap poses a serious threat to tender vegetation, winter crops, outdoor pets, and unprotected pipes. Residents are urged to bring pets indoors, protect plants, and wrap or drip outdoor plumbing. Farmers should take immediate action to safeguard sensitive crops.
Travelers and early-morning commuters should dress in layers, including hats and gloves, and check on elderly neighbors who may be more vulnerable to cold exposure. Officials also stress heater safety, reminding residents not to use grills or generators indoors.
While temperatures will rebound modestly later Monday, another cold night remains possible early Tuesday. This marks one of the coldest winter mornings so far this season for the region.
