Arctic Blast to Hit Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and the Carolinas on December 30 With Dangerous Single-Digit Wind Chills
SOUTHERN UNITED STATES — A powerful Arctic front is forecast to blast into the Southern U.S. on December 30, delivering dangerous wind chills, sharp temperature drops, and one of the most intense cold snaps of the season. Weather analysts warn that this will not be a mild cooldown but a deep, punishing cold surge capable of driving wind chills into the single digits and teens across several southern states.
Forecasters Warn of a Severe Cold Blast
Meteorologists monitoring the late-December weather pattern say the incoming Arctic front will cut through the region with unusual force. Temperatures currently in the 40s and 50s across parts of the South are expected to plunge dramatically as frigid northern air sweeps in.
Weather models show widespread lows dipping into the 20s and 30s, with wind chills falling much lower. According to early projections:
• Wind chills could reach single digits across portions of Tennessee, Arkansas, northern Mississippi, and northern Alabama
• Teens are likely across Georgia, the Carolinas, and central portions of the Deep South
• Even parts of Louisiana and northern Florida could feel below-freezing conditions
Forecasters emphasize that this type of cold can be dangerous, especially for individuals without adequate heating or winter clothing.
Not a “Slight Cool Down” — A Significant Arctic Outbreak
Weather commentators have been quick to push back against any suggestion that this is a routine temperature drop. The data shows a strong Arctic air mass driving directly into the South, the kind of event capable of producing:
• Rapid drops in temperature over just a few hours
• Strong, biting winds that increase the risk of hypothermia
• Elevated danger for pets, livestock, and vulnerable populations
• Higher potential for pipe damage in uninsulated homes
This cold surge is expected to arrive abruptly, described by some meteorologists as winter “kicking the door in.”
Model Maps Show Widespread Impacts Across the Region
Temperature charts included in the forecast indicate a multi-state cold zone stretching across the entire Southeast, including:
• Alabama
• Georgia
• Tennessee
• Mississippi
• Arkansas
• The Carolinas
• Northern Louisiana
• Northern Florida
Most areas show forecast lows in the 20s, with some areas in the Mid-South struggling to reach even the lower 30s after the front passes.
Residents Urged to Prepare Ahead of December 30
Officials and forecasters recommend that residents take immediate precautions before the Arctic air arrives:
• Protect exposed pipes and outdoor spigots
• Bring pets and outdoor animals indoors
• Prepare extra blankets, heating backups, and emergency supplies
• Check on elderly or medically vulnerable neighbors
More detailed updates are expected as December 30 approaches and forecast confidence increases. NapervilleLocal.com will continue monitoring the Arctic outbreak and publish additional updates as new data becomes available.

I’ve lived in Naperville long enough to see how quickly our community changes — from new developments downtown to sudden shifts in our Midwest weather. Reporting on Naperville news and daily forecasts gives me the chance to keep neighbors informed about what really matters. My goal is simple: deliver clear, timely updates so you always know what’s happening in our city and what to expect from the skies above.