Unseasonably Cold Temperatures for the Southeast and Florida Ahead

The temperatures are set to take a tumble across the southern U.S. this week, sending the mercury to the freezing level as far south as Florida. Here is a look at what is shaping up to be a dramatic change in the weather pattern for much of the eastern U.S. and beyond.

Colder Temperatures by Midweek for the Southeast and Beyond

Temperatures across the Southeast and Florida will drop as much as 20 degrees below the norm for the middle of January by the end of the week. Some parts of Florida are likely to see frost or freeze conditions as the cold settles in across the peninsula.

The rapid cooldown comes after an unusually warm start to the month of January for this corner of the country. For example, major urban areas such as Charlotte, New Orleans, and Atlanta saw temperatures hit at least 10 degrees above the historical average through the first 11 days of the year. It was particularly warm in Jackson, Mississippi. The capital city saw temperatures hover 13.5 degrees above the usual readings for the first half of the month.

The warmth is going to be erased beginning Wednesday when a powerful cold front pushes across the southeastern U.S., ushering in significantly colder temperatures. The mercury will fall as much as 25 degrees on Thursday when compared to what the region saw on Monday and Tuesday. You have to go back to the last few days of 2025 to find the last time that it was this chilly in the Southeast.