So, you’re looking out the window and wondering if you need to go out there and wrestle with those heavy frost blankets. I get it. The air has that bite today, that sharp, stinging sensation that usually means bad news for the ferns and the faucet outside the garage. Honestly, if you’re asking is there a freeze warning for tonight, the answer depends heavily on where you’re standing, but for a massive chunk of the U.S. south and east, the answer is a resounding "yes."
We aren't just talking about a little light frost on the windshield tomorrow morning. Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026, and the National Weather Service is currently lighting up the map like a Christmas tree. From the palm trees in Florida to the skyscrapers in New York, a major arctic blast is making things very complicated very quickly.
The Big Freeze: Who is Under the Gun?
The Southeast is getting hit particularly hard tonight. If you’re in North or Central Florida—specifically counties like Marion, Alachua, Suwannee, and Columbia—you are officially under a Freeze Warning for tonight through Monday morning. We’re talking about lows dipping into the mid-20s. That’s not just "chilly" for Florida; that’s "the-pipes-might-actually-burst" cold. Even the I-4 corridor near Orlando and the Tampa Bay hinterlands are looking at temperatures around 25 to 29 degrees.
Further north, parts of Georgia and Alabama are dealing with a messy mix of snow and freezing air. Metro Atlanta is bracing for its first real taste of winter weather this year.
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Texas isn't escaping this either. San Antonio and surrounding counties like Bexar and Wilson are under a Hard Freeze Warning. If you’re in South Texas, you know how rare this is. When the temperature hits 26 degrees in a place meant for 70-degree winters, things break.
What’s the Difference Between a Warning and an Advisory?
I always see people get these confused. Basically, a "Freeze Watch" means the weather service thinks it might happen in the next day or two. A Freeze Warning is the serious one. It means freezing temperatures are imminent or already happening.
Then you have the "Cold Weather Advisory," which replaced the old Wind Chill Advisory in 2024. This is more about how the air feels on your skin. In Illinois and the Midwest tonight, wind chills are expected to drop to a brutal -25 degrees. At that point, frostbite can set in on exposed skin in less than 30 minutes. It's no joke.
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Why This Specific Freeze is Different
Usually, cold fronts move in and out. This one has some staying power. We’re seeing a "polar vortex disruption"—a term that meteorologists love to use because it sounds scary, but it basically just means the cold air that usually stays up at the North Pole has escaped and is currently wandering around your backyard.
In New York City, the situation is a bit wetter but equally freezing. They’re looking at 2 to 5 inches of snow through midnight tonight. Once that snow stops, the temperature is going to plummet. If you don't clear your sidewalk tonight, it's going to be a sheet of solid ice by 6:00 AM.
Protecting Your Stuff (and Yourself)
If you are currently under a Freeze Warning for tonight, you have about four hours of daylight left to get your act together. Here is the reality of what needs to happen:
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- Drip those faucets. I know it sounds like an old wives' tale, but letting a slow drip of both hot and cold water run through your pipes prevents the pressure buildup that causes them to explode.
- The 3-layer rule for plants. If you have "tender vegetation" (basically anything that doesn't belong in Alaska), cover it with a breathable fabric—think old bedsheets or burlap. Never use plastic directly against the leaves; it traps moisture and actually makes the frost damage worse.
- Bring the pets in. If it's too cold for you to stand outside in a light jacket for an hour, it's too cold for your dog.
- Check the heater. If you haven't turned your furnace on yet this year, do it now while the repair shops are still open. Don't wait until 2:00 AM to find out your pilot light is out.
Actionable Next Steps for Tonight
The window for preparation is closing fast. If you’re in a warning zone, prioritize your tasks by the "4 P's": People, Pets, Pipes, and Plants.
- Seal the gaps: Check your windows and doors for drafts. A rolled-up towel at the base of a drafty door can save you $20 on your heating bill this week.
- Verify your alerts: If you haven't already, download a weather app like the National Weather Service's mobile site or a local news app. The "feels like" temperature is often 10 degrees lower than the actual temperature tonight because of the wind.
- Charge everything: Cold weather puts a massive strain on the electrical grid. If a transformer pops because of the wind or ice, you'll want your phone and power banks at 100%.
- Check on your neighbors: Specifically the elderly. If their heater fails tonight, it becomes a life-threatening situation within a few hours.
The sub-freezing air is moving in as we speak. If you’re in Florida, Georgia, or Texas, the coldest window will be between 3:00 AM and 8:00 AM tomorrow morning. Get your covers on the plants now and make sure the outdoor cat is in the garage.
Stay warm and keep an eye on the radar.