Cold air moves south behind strong north winds, rattling windows and cutting through coats throughout the Gulf Coast. The previous warmth evaporates swiftly, leaving behind a bitter chill that feels strange for late December by the shore.
Much of southern Mississippi, southeast Louisiana, coastal Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, and southwest Georgia are currently under cold weather advisories. The most dangerous weather occurs late Monday night into early Tuesday, when wind chills drop into the upper teens and lower 20s, with a few locations approaching 17 degrees.
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Wind chills across south and central Mississippi, including Natchez, Brookhaven, Hattiesburg, Laurel, and Columbia, were as low as 19 degrees between 3 and 9 a.m. on Tuesday. In certain portions of Louisiana, persistent winds will subside tonight, but colder air will become more prevalent. Mississippi River parishes, Baton Rouge suburbs, and coastal counties have a rough start to Tuesday.
The cold blast hits the Gulf Coast from Mobile and Pensacola to Gulfport and Biloxi, bringing lingering breezes. Wind chills of 17 to 20 degrees enhance hypothermia risks for anyone who spends an extended period of time outdoors. For the Florida Panhandle and south Alabama, dense fog early Monday gives way to clear sky and lower temperatures by nightfall.
Late tonight, the effects of travel become more noticeable. Clear skies and cold pavement increase the likelihood of frost and patchy black ice, particularly on bridges and elevated routes during morning commutes. If traveling before daybreak, allow additional time and dress in layers.
The cold gradually relaxes. Despite the sunlight, Tuesday remains chilly, with highs largely in the 40s and low 50s. Milder air arrives by Wednesday and New Year’s Eve, resulting in a quieter New Year’s Day 2026 along the Gulf Coast.
