Southeast Braces for Rapid Temperature Drop After Storm

Residents of Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida are preparing for a dramatic weather shift over the next 48 hours, with unseasonably warm temperatures on Monday giving way to a severe cold front that will bring freezing conditions by Tuesday morning. The National Weather Service has issued a freeze watch and small craft advisory, warning of potential hazards.

On Sunday evening, temperatures are expected to drop into the low 50s with light winds and partly cloudy skies. However, by Monday morning, temperatures will rise into the low 60s, accompanied by increasing winds from the south, reaching speeds of up to 30 mph. A cold front will move through the region between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., bringing rain and possible thunderstorms with damaging winds, lightning, and heavy downpours.

After the cold front passes, temperatures will plummet, with sub-freezing lows of 29 degrees expected by early Tuesday morning. The National Weather Service in Mobile, Alabama, warned that temperatures will struggle to reach 40 degrees on Monday, with wind chills making it feel even colder. Freezing conditions are expected to persist for three consecutive nights, with some areas experiencing below-freezing temperatures for more than eight hours overnight.

Residents are advised to take precautions, including bringing pets and plants indoors, wrapping or draining water pipes to prevent freezing, and protecting tender vegetation. A small craft advisory and gale warning are also in effect through Tuesday, urging boaters to exercise caution.

The cold front has already triggered tornado watches and warnings in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee, highlighting the system’s intensity. Meteorologists emphasize the importance of staying informed and prepared as the region braces for the coldest air of the season.