SAVANNAH, Ga. — Significant shifts in the weather are anticipated for the upcoming days in Savannah. As the weekend approaches, the region can expect milder conditions starting Friday afternoon.

However, brace yourself for a sharp turn early next week as an arctic air mass is predicted to descend upon the area. This will bring dangerously cold temperatures on Monday and Tuesday mornings.

Friday morning will kick off with temperatures dipping below freezing across many inland areas, with lows reaching the lower to mid-30s under mostly clear skies.

The afternoon will bring some relief as a southwesterly breeze ushers in warmer air from the Gulf, coupled with a predominantly sunny sky. This will push high temperatures up to the lower 60s on Friday.

The warmth will continue to build over the weekend ahead of a powerful cold front. Saturday and Sunday are expected to see afternoon highs climbing into the mid to upper 60s, with some places potentially hitting the lower 70s.

Similar conditions overall are expected for Sunday afternoon. Highs will warm into the mid 60s. As the strong cold front begins to move in, a few isolated showers are possible.

Conditions after the cold front clears off of the coast will begin to cool off quickly as the wind shifts out of the north.

WEATHER AWARE MONDAY – TUESDAY

Monday and Tuesday will be Storm Team 3 Weather Aware Days due to the dangerously cold conditions forecast to develop in the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry.

Monday morning will be very cold and breezy. Actual low temperatures will be in the lower 20s for most locations.

A few inland locations may get into the teens for morning low temperatures. Conditions will feel even colder when the breeze is factored in with the wind chill factor. Temperatures will feel as cold as 10-15°F around 6 a.m.

High temperatures on Monday will only warm into the lower to middle 40s.

Normal low temperatures for this point in December are in the lower 40s. High temperatures should normally be in the lower to middle 60s.

Tuesday is not looking to be much different from Monday. Morning low temperatures again will drop into the lower 20s for most locations in the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry. Conditions though will not feel as cold due to a lighter wind expected in the morning.

Tuesday afternoon high temperatures though will warm into the lower to middle 50s.

THE FOUR ‘Ps’ OF COLD WEATHER

With the very cold temperatures forecast tonight and into Wednesday morning, be sure to protect the “four P’s,” People, pets, plants and pipes.

Be sure to check on any vulnerable family, friends or neighbors. Bring your pets indoors. If you are cold, they are cold also.

Protect tender vegetation and protect exposed pluming. Temperatures in the upper teens or lower 20s for an extended period of time are cold enough for pipes to freeze when exposed to the cold.