North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida Face Unusually Cold Weekend as ECMWF Shows Temperatures 25–35° Below Normal by Jan. 31
NORTH CAROLINA — A sharp and unusual cold pattern is expected to grip much of the Southeast next weekend, with forecast data showing temperatures plunging well below normal across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Florida as the month of January comes to a close.
According to the latest ECMWF temperature anomaly guidance valid Saturday afternoon, January 31, a broad swath of Arctic air is projected to settle across the region, bringing some of the coldest late-January conditions seen in years for parts of the Southeast.
What the Forecast Data Shows
The ECMWF anomaly map indicates temperatures running 25 to 35 degrees below normal across a large portion of the Southeast. The coldest anomalies are centered from Mississippi and Alabama eastward through Georgia and the Carolinas, extending into northern and central Florida.
Unlike a brief overnight cold snap, this data reflects daytime temperature anomalies, meaning afternoon highs will struggle well below what is typical for late January.
State-by-State Breakdown of Expected Impacts
North Carolina
Much of the state is forecast to experience 30° or greater negative temperature anomalies, including central and eastern sections. Afternoon highs may struggle to reach the 40s in areas that normally see 60s this time of year, with chilly conditions persisting into Sunday.
South Carolina
Both the Midlands and Lowcountry are included in the core of the cold air. Even coastal areas may see highs suppressed into the 40s and low 50s, a notable departure from normal late-January warmth.
Georgia
Nearly the entire state falls within deep cold shading, signaling highs in the 40s to low 50s statewide, with overnight lows dipping into the 30s — cold enough to raise concerns for sensitive vegetation.
Florida
While Florida avoids the very coldest core, northern and central Florida still show anomalies near 20–25° below normal. Tampa and surrounding areas may see highs only in the 50s, with lows dipping into the 30s, a setup that could impact outdoor events and travel plans.
Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee
These states sit on the western edge of the cold pool, where anomalies remain extreme. Daytime temperatures may feel more like mid-winter than late January, reinforcing the widespread nature of this pattern.
Timeline: When the Cold Peaks
- Friday night, Jan. 30: Cold air deepens across the Southeast
- Saturday afternoon, Jan. 31: Peak cold anomalies across most states
- Saturday night into Sunday: Coldest lows, especially inland
- Early February: Gradual moderation expected, though confidence remains low
Forecasters note the exact intensity may still adjust, but confidence is growing in a colder-than-normal weekend across the entire region.
Why This Pattern Matters
This is not a typical Southeast cold front. The anomaly strength suggests a large-scale Arctic air mass, with impacts extending from energy demand and outdoor events to agriculture and travel.
Even small shifts in temperature could determine whether certain areas experience frost or freeze conditions, particularly across interior Georgia, the Carolinas, and northern Florida.
What Residents Should Do Now
- Monitor updated forecasts through midweek
- Plan for chilly outdoor conditions, especially Saturday evening
- Protect sensitive plants where applicable
- Expect adjustments as higher-resolution models refine the details
This system highlights how volatile late-January weather can be across the Southeast, especially when Arctic air manages to push far south.
Stay with CabarrusWeekly for continued updates as the forecast becomes clearer and impacts become more localized.
