The Tennessee Valley enters the heart of winter on Sunday with the Winter Solstice, which marks the shortest day of the year and the start of a colder, darker stretch that frequently poses increased risks to homes, vehicles, and travel across Tennessee, northern Alabama, southern Kentucky, and northern Georgia.
With extended nightly darkness and variable temperatures, threats to pipes, highways, and daily commutes increase throughout the region. While daytime highs may rise above freezing, temperatures frequently drop quickly after nightfall, resulting in freeze-thaw conditions that can stress plumbing systems and cause slick or ice roads in the early morning and evening.
The National Weather Service anticipates that temperatures in the Tennessee Valley will remain around freezing overnight into the weekend and early next week. This trend increases the risk of frozen or burst pipes, particularly in older homes, mobile homes, garages, crawl spaces, and properties with exposed plumbing.
Residents are encouraged by state and municipal officials to insulate exposed pipes, keep inside temperatures set no lower than 55 degrees, and let faucets drip gently on the coldest nights. Cabinets behind sinks on external walls should be left open to allow warm air to circulate. To melt frozen pipes, never use open flames; instead, experts recoicymmend space heaters or hair dryers, which are safer if used cautiously and never left unattended.
Drivers expecting to travel in late December and early January are recommended to winterize their vehicles now. Officials recommend examining the battery strength, tire tread, antifreeze levels, and windshield washer fluid rated for cold weather. Emergency kits should include blankets, food, drink, flashlights, and phone chargers, particularly for those traveling through rural areas or on higher-elevation routes in eastern Tennessee and north Georgia.
Cold weather remains one of the Tennessee Valley’s most persistent winter threats in January, especially when rain turns to freezing temperatures overnight. As New Year’s travel surges and winter systems pass through the region, officials warn that they may issue more weather advisories and travel alerts.
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