Freeze warnings in effect across parts of Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas

The NWS issued freeze warnings and cold weather advisories for much of northern Florida, southern Georgia, southeast Alabama, Louisiana, and parts of southeast Texas.

In northern Florida and southeastern Georgia, temperatures fell to around −4°C (24°F) on the morning of December 15, with wind chills between −9°C and −7°C (15–20°F).

Areas under warning include Suwannee, Baker, Union, Columbia, and Nassau counties in Florida, and Appling, Wayne, and Clinch counties in Georgia. Frostbite on exposed skin within 30 minutes due to the low temperatures poses risks of hypothermia with prolonged exposure.

Another Freeze Warning will take effect again from 19:00 EST on December 15 through 09:00 EST (14:00 UTC) on December 16, as temperatures are expected to fall to −3°C (26°F) overnight. Residents are advised to protect sensitive vegetation and outdoor plumbing, and to provide adequate shelter for pets.

In coastal Nassau County, Florida, gusty northeasterly winds reached 64 km/h (40 mph) early on December 15, prompting an additional Wind Advisory. The combination of wind and sub-freezing temperatures produced wind chills near −4°C (24°F).

Hard freeze conditions also extended westward into Louisiana and eastern Texas. In central Louisiana, including Avoyelles, Rapides, and Vernon parishes, temperatures dropped to between −6°C and −5°C (21–23°F), with wind chills near −9°C (15°F). The NWS office in Lake Charles warned that frost and freeze conditions could kill unprotected crops and damage outdoor plumbing.

In southeast Texas, including Brazos, Montgomery, Liberty, and Harris counties, temperatures fell to between −3°C and 0°C (27–32°F). A Freeze Warning remains in effect until 09:00 CST (15:00 UTC) December 15. Similar conditions were reported across Fayette, De Witt, and Lavaca counties in central Texas, where freezing temperatures of −2°C to 0°C (28–32°F) were observed.

Across the Florida Panhandle and southern Alabama, a Freeze Watch and Warning remain in effect through December 16. Morning temperatures dropped to −5°C (22°F) in some interior areas, with wind chills as low as −10°C (14°F). Coastal regions, including Bay, Gulf, and Franklin counties, experienced minimum temperatures near −2°C (29°F).

The NWS advised residents across affected areas to ensure that outdoor animals have warm, dry shelter and access to unfrozen water, to protect plants and exposed pipes, and to use heating equipment safely.