Tornado Watches And Winter Weather Hit Southeast States

Residents across the Southeast are bracing for a potent combination of severe weather threats, as the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued multiple tornado watches and winter weather advisories stretching from Southwest Georgia to the Florida Panhandle and southeastern Alabama. The alerts, in effect for much of Sunday, January 25, 2026, have prompted local officials and meteorologists to urge the public to remain vigilant, review emergency plans, and prepare for rapidly changing conditions.

In Georgia, the NWS issued a tornado watch effective until 7 p.m. EST, covering portions of Southwest and Middle Georgia. According to the NWS, the affected counties include Crisp, Chattahoochee, Marion, Muscogee, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, and Webster. Major cities and communities under the watch are Americus, Buena Vista, Columbus, Cordele, Ellaville, Fort Benning, Preston, and Richland. Residents in these areas have been strongly advised to stay alert and monitor weather updates throughout the day.

Alongside the tornado watch, a winter weather advisory remains in effect for several Middle Georgia counties, including Lamar, Monroe, Jones, Baldwin, Washington, Hancock, Putnam, Jasper, and Butts. The advisory is expected to last through the remainder of January 25. Local authorities have cautioned that the combination of severe storms and winter precipitation could create hazardous travel conditions and power outages, especially as temperatures continue to drop.

Meanwhile, in neighboring Alabama, the NWS updated its tornado watch at 12:54 p.m., extending coverage until 6 p.m. for Barbour and Russell counties. These watches, as explained by the NWS and reported by AL.com, are a signal that conditions are conducive to tornado formation, but do not necessarily mean a tornado is imminent. Instead, they serve as a critical heads-up: residents should review emergency plans, check supplies, and be ready to act quickly if a tornado warning is issued or if a tornado is spotted nearby.

"A Tornado watch serves as an early warning that conditions are conducive to tornado formation," the NWS explained. "It's your signal to review your emergency plans, ensure your supplies are in order, and identify your safe room." The agency further clarified the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning, noting that while watches can span multiple counties or even states, warnings are issued for much smaller areas when a tornado has been sighted or detected by radar, requiring immediate action to protect life and property.

Preparedness remains at the forefront of official messaging. The NWS and local emergency management agencies recommend that families check forecasts regularly, sign up for community alerts, and establish communication plans that include designated meeting places and emergency contacts. Identifying a secure shelter, such as a basement, storm cellar, or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, is essential. Regular family drills and ensuring all members, including pets, know where to go in an emergency are also strongly advised.

"Conduct regular family drills for severe thunderstorms so everyone knows what to do when a tornado threat arises," the NWS advised. "Ensure that all family members are aware of the safe location to seek shelter, and don't forget about your pets if time permits." The agency also encourages residents to consider reinforcing their safe rooms and to help neighbors prepare, including taking CPR training to assist if someone is injured.

Further south, in Panama City Beach and Bay County, Florida, residents are facing a cocktail of severe weather advisories. On January 25, double red flags were flying on the beach, signaling that the water was closed to the public due to dangerous conditions. Bay County Emergency Services reported that a tornado watch was in effect until 6 p.m., alongside a wind advisory forecasting southwest winds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts up to 40 mph. A rip current advisory is also in place through late January 26, and a cold weather advisory extends until 9 a.m. January 26, to be followed by a freeze watch and extreme cold watch from 8 p.m. January 26 through 10 a.m. January 27.

Chris Smith, a meteorologist with Panhandle Weather, told the News Herald, "It's a sneaky severe weather threat, because everyone's attention is going to be on the ice and the snow and this, you know, big winter storm." Smith emphasized that while the focus may be on wintry precipitation, the severe storm risk—including tornadoes—should not be underestimated. The coldest air of the season is expected to arrive the evening of January 25, with lows of 34°F, dropping to 26°F on January 26. Wind chills could plunge as low as 13°F as an arctic air mass descends on the region.

To help vulnerable populations cope with the frigid temperatures, Bay County and Rebuild Bay have established an overnight warming shelter at the A.D. Harris Learning Village in Panama City. The shelter will operate from 6 p.m. January 26 through noon January 27, and again from 6 p.m. January 27 through noon January 28, providing a critical lifeline for those without adequate heating or shelter. Residents are encouraged to follow Bay County Emergency Services' Facebook page for the latest updates on shelter availability and weather alerts.

Beyond the immediate severe weather, Bay County continues to grapple with persistent drought conditions. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor and the U.S. Geological Survey, many creeks and rivers in the region are at their lowest estimated streamflow ever measured for this date. Meteorologist Smith explained, "Right now, we have La Niña, which is typically going to lead to drier conditions across the northern Gulf Coast. So that's why we're not expecting to see a lot of improvement in the drought." While some rainfall has occurred in January, it has not been enough to break the drought, and the outlook for relief remains uncertain until at least late spring or summer, when weather patterns may shift.

Complicating matters further, low concentrations of red tide algae, karenia brevis, persist in St. Andrews Bay, with water temperatures reported at 58°F in the bay and 60°F in Panama City Beach. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission noted that while concentrations have decreased from previous samplings, some areas remain below water quality criteria for nitrogen, which can fuel algal growth. Residents and visitors are urged to stay informed about water quality and beach conditions, as advisories may change rapidly.

As the Southeast contends with this barrage of weather threats, officials stress that understanding the difference between tornado watches and warnings, staying informed, and taking preparedness seriously can be lifesaving. Whether facing the risk of tornadoes, winter storms, or extreme cold, the message is clear: vigilance, preparation, and swift action are key to staying safe in the face of nature's unpredictable power.