3 major concerns with the deep south winter storm

If you live in the southern United States and love winter precipitation, 2025 did not disappoint. After a recent storm, the Deep South is bracing for another round of winter weather. Here are my three biggest concerns with the impending storm.

The National Weather Service is issuing a winter storm alert for the Deep South this week. The Weather Prediction Center wrote Saturday morning, “There is increasing confidence in a winter storm across the southern tier that could produce snow/sleet near the west/central Gulf Coast across the Southeast and Carolinas, with Freezing rain visible from the Florida Panhandle and just north.” While there is still uncertainty about the exact total, there is also some clarity.

Winter weather in inexperienced places

First, the storm will begin to take shape Monday near Texas and then move east to southeast. This brings me to my first major concern. Given the expected path of the low pressure system, a variety of wintry precipitation is expected from Texas to the Carolinas. To make matters worse, cities like Houston, New Orleans, Tallahassee, Mobile, Jacksonville and other places along the Interstate 10 corridor could experience freezing rain. At the same time, the Interstate 20 corridor and points south will be in the “snow belt” of this storm. Even if you live along the Interstate 95 corridor (Georgia, Florida, and the Carolinas), you should pay attention, too.

It always bothers me when people in countries more used to winter weather make fun of the South for “locking in” or struggling with this type of weather event. As a Georgia native, I assure you it is guaranteed. The Deep South has much less snow removal infrastructure. Here in Atlanta, we average under 2 inches of snow per year, and that’s not guaranteed to happen every year. I’m happy to see investment elsewhere.

People generally don’t have that much experience driving on snowy or icy roads. One of the reasons I moved south from Maryland was to avoid such conditions (smile). I have a son in high school and a daughter in college. Both of them are drivers with virtually no winter weather driving experience. According to Worldcraft Logistics website, four of the busiest transportation corridors in the US are located in the region affected by this storm. These facts present a transport mess.

Rapid freezing and deterioration of travel conditions

This brings me to my second major concern with this storm. It will be brutally cold across the eastern US, including the Deep South. In fact, we expect an air drop originating in Siberia. Why is it worrying? Any snow that falls this coming week will immediately start causing transportation problems. Ground temperatures will be cold enough to create rapidly deteriorating conditions. I lived during Snowmaggedon in Atlanta. Although it was “only” 1 to 2 inches of snow, the event featured bitterly cold temperatures, which made for a transportation nightmare. Cities like Birmingham, Atlanta, Charlotte and Raleigh could be dealing with a similar event. The city of Atlanta is hosting the College Football National Championship game. While conditions should be good for play on Monday night, travel logistics (air and ground) could be quite challenging the following day.

Dangers associated with extreme cold

I am also concerned about the implications of cold temperatures. Many places in the Deep South may experience days with temperatures at or below freezing. Wind chills will also be in the low-teens or single digits. Extreme cold is a risk to infrastructure (remember the power issues in Texas a few years ago), home plumbing, and public health. Additionally, places along the Gulf Coast that experience freezing rain are likely to face downed trees and power outages.

At the time of writing, meteorologists like myself are awaiting new information from more detailed weather models that will become available in the next day or so. If you live in the South, it’s important to pay attention to the developing forecast. Don’t anchor yourself in information you saw days ago. I also encourage everyone in the region to start thinking about winter weather, travel and emergency plans.