After an unusually mild start to November, the first real chill of the season is settling over the eastern United States this weekend. For many families in the South, that means the first freeze of the fall, and a short to-do list before the temperature drops.
Who is getting the cold
The Weather Channel reported Friday that the first freeze could reach much of the Carolinas, northern and central Georgia, and northern and central Alabama. Frost and freeze alerts cover parts of Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and northern Georgia through Saturday morning, with lows in the upper 20s to lower 30s.
Farther north, highs are expected to stay in the 40s across much of the Midwest and Northeast from Friday through the weekend, and the chill is forecast to linger in the East into early next week. AccuWeather said Friday through Sunday will bring the lowest temperatures of the season so far for much of the eastern third of the country, with highs 5 to 10 degrees below the historical average and RealFeel temperatures mainly in the 20s and 30s.
The same storm system is bringing rain, wind and mountain snow to the Northeast; our U.S. desk has the full forecast, and you can follow our weather coverage on the U.S. page.
A first-freeze checklist for families
A light freeze rarely causes serious damage, but a little preparation now can save money and stress. Here is a simple checklist:
1. Plants and gardens
- Bring sensitive potted plants indoors, as The Weather Channel suggests, or move them against the house.
- Cover tender plants in the ground with a sheet or frost cloth overnight, and remove it in the morning once temperatures rise.
- Harvest any remaining tomatoes, peppers or herbs before the coldest night.
2. Pipes and outdoor water
- Disconnect and drain garden hoses and shut off outdoor faucets if your home has a separate valve.
- Know where your main water shut-off is in case a pipe ever bursts.
- In a hard freeze, open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls so warm air can reach the pipes.
3. Pets and animals
- Bring pets indoors overnight, especially short-haired, very young or older animals.
- Make sure outdoor animals have dry shelter and water that is not frozen.
- Tap the hood of your car before starting it on cold mornings; cats sometimes crawl into warm engines.
4. Cars and travel
- Check tire pressure, which drops as temperatures fall, and top off windshield washer fluid rated for cold weather.
- Keep a blanket, phone charger, water and snacks in the car if you will be driving through the mountains.
- Leave a few extra minutes in the morning to clear frost from windows instead of driving with a small peephole.
5. Safe heat at home
- If you use a space heater, keep it at least three feet from anything that can burn and turn it off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
- Never use a grill, camp stove or generator indoors or in a garage.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms; the first cold weekend is a good reminder.
Why it matters for families
Cold weather often arrives when budgets are already stretched before the holidays. Preventing a frozen pipe or a dead car battery is far cheaper than fixing one. If you have older neighbors or relatives living alone, a quick call or visit to make sure their heat is working is one of the kindest things you can do this weekend.
Planning a gathering? Our report on which holiday traditions families say matter most has ideas for cozy indoor time together, and our guide to holiday scams to watch is worth a read before the weekend sales.
What is your family’s best tip for getting ready for cold weather? Share it in the comments.
Read more: 81% of parents say holiday traditions matter
Sources: The Weather Channel, “Nor’easter brings first snow, freezes plus a rare tornado” (November 13, 2026); AccuWeather, “Northeast storm bringing rain, high-elevation snow into Saturday” (November 2026); Newsweek, “Winter weather storm map” (November 10, 2026)
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