In Savannah, Georgia, and the surrounding Coastal Empire and Lowcountry, residents faced a biting chill on Monday. Morning temperatures plunged into the upper teens and lower 20s across much of the region, marking an unusually frigid day.

A brisk northerly wind compounded the cold, driving wind chill values down to a bone-chilling 10-20°F during the early hours. This made for hazardous conditions that had locals bundling up tightly against the icy gusts.

Looking ahead, the weather forecast promises little reprieve from the cold. As Monday night gives way to Tuesday morning, temperatures are expected to dip even further, settling into the lower to mid-20s across much of the area. While the immediate coastal regions might hover in the low 30s, even they are anticipated to slip below the freezing mark.

More dangerously cold conditions are in the forecast Monday night and into Tuesday morning. Low temperatures will bottom out overnight in the lower to middle 20s for most of the area.

The immediate coast may remain in the lower 30s, but they should also be below freezing. 

A cold weather advisory has been issued for many of our inland communities through Tuesday morning.

Wind chill values, or how the temperature feels to your skin due to the wind, will again be in the 10-20°F range at times. 

PROTECT THE FOUR ‘Ps’

Be sure to stay warm and dress in layers while limiting outdoor activities during the coldest hours.

Protect exposed plumbing because a prolonged period of temperatures in the 20s is cold enough for pipes to freeze. Let your faucets drip as flowing water cannot freeze as easily.

Also don’t forget to bring your pets in or provide them with a warm place to bed overnight. Finally, cover any sensitive plants you may still have with light cloth to trap some heat in at the surface. 

WARMER DAYS AHEAD

After the very cold start for Tuesday morning, a warming trend will start to set up for the rest of the week.

Afternoon highs on Tuesday will remain below normal, though they will be much warmer than Monday afternoon in the mid to upper 50s. 

Wednesday will start out with cold low temperatures in the mid to upper 30s. A mainly sunny sky and a southerly breeze will help afternoon temperatures to warm into the mid to upper 60s.

A cold front is forecast to move through the southeast on Thursday. Temperatures ahead of the front will be able to warm into the upper 60s to lower 70s.

A few showers are expected to develop along the cold front. Most of the rain will be fairly light in nature. 

Temperatures will only become slightly cooler behind the cold front. Low temperature on Friday morning will be in the upper 40s to lower 50s with highs warming into the mid 60s for most of the area.

Conditions will remain mild into the weekend with afternoon highs remaining above normal in the upper 60s to lower 70s.

The warmer trend is expected to remain for most of next week, including for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day across the southeastern U.S.

Temperatures are expected to be in the upper 60s to lower 70s in the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry.