If you live in the South, you know the drill. One day you’re wearing a light jacket to get the mail, and the next, you’re staring at a loaf of bread and a gallon of milk like they're gold bars because a "wintry mix" appeared on the local news ticker.
Honestly, it’s happening again.
As of January 16, 2026, meteorologists are sounding the alarm that another winter storm could hit the south this week, specifically targeting the window between Sunday, January 18, and Tuesday, January 20. But before you go full "prepper mode," there is a lot of nuance in these models that isn't making it into the clickbait headlines.
Why the South is back on the "Snow Watch" list
We are currently dealing with a very weird atmospheric setup. A stratospheric warming event earlier this month basically broke the Polar Vortex. Think of it like a dam bursting; all that cold Arctic air that usually stays up near the North Pole is now "leaking" down into the United States.
At the same time, we have a cold front pushing through Florida and the Carolinas.
Frank Strait, a severe weather liaison with the South Carolina State Climate Office, recently noted that fresh cold air is expected to dig in Saturday night. The "million-dollar question" is whether a storm system tracking along the Gulf Coast will align perfectly with that cold air.
✨ Don't miss: Why the Air France Crash Toronto Miracle Still Changes How We Fly
If it does? We get snow.
If it doesn't? It’s just another miserable, cold rain.
The Tallahassee "Snow-shine" surprise
Believe it or not, the Florida Panhandle is actually in the crosshairs this time. National Weather Service (NWS) data suggests a cold front moving through Florida on Sunday into Monday could bring isolated snowfall to North Florida, including Tallahassee.
Don't expect the "Gulf Blizzard of 2025" levels of chaos we saw last year. We're talking maybe three-tenths of an inch. Still, in a place where palm trees are the norm, any amount of white stuff on the ground is a major event.
The NWS in New Orleans is being a bit more cautious. They’ve noted that while "a few flakes might fly" early Sunday, the dry scenario is currently more likely for Louisiana. Basically, the moisture might stay too far south in the Gulf for the big "Snow-mageddon" some people are hoping for (or fearing).
Breaking down the impact zones
The South isn't a monolith, and this storm is going to treat Georgia very differently than it treats the Appalachian foothills.
🔗 Read more: Robert Hanssen: What Most People Get Wrong About the FBI's Most Damaging Spy
- South Carolina and the Carolinas: This is the "close call" zone. Model guidance has been trending toward a rain event for the Midlands, but the Upstate—specifically north of Highway 11—could see limited accumulations at higher elevations.
- Georgia and the Southeast: The NWS in Peachtree City/Atlanta is currently maintaining a "high uncertainty" status. They are watching a system for late Saturday through Sunday. If the southern jet stream aligns with the northern trough, travel impacts on Sunday could be significant.
- The "Deep" South (MS, AL, LA): It's mostly a cold story here. Wind chills are expected to dip into the 20s. Even if the snow doesn't stick, the hard freeze is a guarantee.
The science: Is La Niña to blame?
We are technically in a weak La Niña state, which usually means the South stays warmer and drier. But 2026 is proving that "usual" doesn't mean "always."
The influence of La Niña is actually fading. We are transitioning toward an "ENSO-neutral" state, which makes the weather much more volatile. Short-term features—like jet stream interactions and the timing of cold air—are currently mattering way more than the broad seasonal forecast.
Basically, the atmosphere is "unlocked."
Ray's Weather, a staple for Southern Appalachian forecasting, calls this a "nickel-and-dime" pattern. Instead of one massive, historic blizzard, we're seeing multiple windows of smaller, messy events that add up over time.
What most people get wrong about Southern snow
The biggest misconception is that the temperature just needs to hit 32°F.
💡 You might also like: Why the Recent Snowfall Western New York State Emergency Was Different
In the South, we often deal with "Cold Air Damming." This is when cold air gets trapped against the eastern side of the Appalachian Mountains. You can have a layer of freezing air at the surface, but a layer of warm air just a few thousand feet up.
That’s how you get sleet or freezing rain instead of snow.
Freezing rain is actually way worse. A half-inch of snow is a photo op. A half-inch of ice is a power outage that lasts three days.
How to prepare for another winter storm could hit the south this week
Since we're looking at a Sunday-Monday arrival, you have a small window to get things sorted without fighting someone for the last carton of eggs.
- Drip the pipes: This isn't just a suggestion. If you're in an area expecting 8-10 hours below freezing (which much of the I-10/I-12 corridor is), those pipes will burst.
- Check the "Greenhouse": If you've already started your early spring planting because of the mild December, bring those pots inside. The frost on Sunday through Tuesday will be widespread.
- The Gas Rule: Never let your car sit with less than half a tank of gas during a Southern winter watch. If you get stuck in a "gridlock" situation because of an unexpected ice patch, you'll need that fuel to keep the heater running.
- Watch the "Backside": Accumulating snow often happens on the "backside" of a tracking surface low. This means the storm might start as rain, making you think you're safe, and then flash-freeze into snow just as you decide to go out for dinner.
While the "Snow-shine State" might only see a dusting, and South Carolina is a coin flip, the threat is real enough to stay weather-aware. Monitor the NWS Area Forecast Discussions rather than just looking at the "snowflake icon" on your phone app. The text discussions provide the context—like the timing of the moisture and the depth of the cold air—that an icon just can't capture.
Stay warm, stay off the roads if the bridges start looking "shiny," and keep an eye on the Sunday evening radar.
Next Steps for Safety
- Confirm your local "Hard Freeze" timing: Check the latest NWS "Hourly Weather Graph" for your specific zip code to see exactly when the sub-freezing air arrives.
- Inventory your "Ice Kit": Ensure you have a bag of sand or non-clumping kitty litter in your trunk for traction if you must travel.
- Verify your alerts: Enable "Wireless Emergency Alerts" on your smartphone to ensure you receive localized Snow Squall or Ice warnings in real-time.