Atlanta residents bundled up after a record warm Christmas Eve gave way to much colder air by Tuesday. Temperatures hit 76°F on December 24, marking the city’s warmest Christmas Eve on record, before dropping sharply to around 25°F two days later. This shift, while not unprecedented, disrupted post-holiday routines in Georgia’s capital.
Similar cooling trends hit other southern cities. Dallas saw highs in the low 80s plunge into the mid-40s, and Little Rock dropped from near 70°F to the mid-30s. Holiday travelers and locals scrambled for warmer clothes as wind chills added to the chill. These changes, tied to a broader weather system, caught many off guard during a busy season.
The rapid weather flip underscored vulnerabilities in the South, where mild winters rarely demand heavy winter gear. Officials urged caution on slick roads, but no widespread emergencies were reported in these areas. The event highlighted how even moderate shifts can upend expectations.
Winter Storm Devin Grounds Holiday Flights
Winter Storm Devin triggered over 1,500 flight cancellations across the U.S. from Friday through Monday, stranding thousands of passengers during the holidays. Airlines like those tracked by aviation reports faced widespread delays, forcing families to sleep in terminals or seek pricey hotels.
Travelers in hubs like Chicago, Minneapolis, Detroit, and Boston reported long waits and rebooking hassles. One family endured hours on a tarmac-bound plane before reaching their destination, their holiday plans in limbo. Airports turned chaotic, with passengers spreading blankets on floors amid endless updates.
The disruptions peaked over the long weekend, affecting routes nationwide. While exact totals varied by carrier, the storm’s timing amplified the misery for those racing home. Recovery stretched into the new year, as airlines rescheduled flights and reunited separated families.
Blizzards Close Roads in the Upper Midwest
Heavy snow and blizzards battered North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, and parts of New York, reducing visibility and forcing highway closures. In Iowa, the Department of Transportation shut down over 200 miles of Interstate 35 from Ames to near the Minnesota border due to hazardous conditions.
Drivers abandoned vehicles in deep snow drifts, and state police managed numerous accidents and service calls along the route. Crews worked through the weekend to reopen the interstate by Monday afternoon. One fatality occurred in the affected stretch, highlighting the storm’s dangers.
Plow teams and emergency responders battled nonstop to clear paths and aid stranded motorists. Nights on icy roads proved perilous for those caught out. The closures isolated communities and slowed holiday travel, serving as a reminder of winter’s grip on the Midwest.
Bomb Cyclone Brings Widespread Winter Woes
The storm system intensified into a bomb cyclone, driven by clashing air masses from the warm South and cold Canada. It spawned snow across the Plains to the Northeast, plus freezing rain in New England states like Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and upstate New York.
Lake Superior faced warnings for large waves, reminiscent of past maritime dangers like the 1975 Edmund Fitzgerald sinking. Michigan’s Upper Peninsula saw heavy snowfalls, with gusty winds creating whiteout conditions and burying roads. Residents hunkered down, stocking supplies as travel ground to a halt.
Power outages hit thousands nationwide, particularly in Michigan and the Northeast from downed lines and ice. Schools closed, businesses emptied, and families delayed gatherings. As 2026 approached, lake-effect snow continued into Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.
Recovery efforts persisted for days. Utility crews restored power where possible, highways reopened gradually, and airlines cleared backlogs. The storm tested resilience amid holiday chaos, affecting at least 10 states from Georgia to New England.
Sources:
Aviation Express, Winter storm Devin cancels over 1500 US flights, December 2025
Iowa DOT, Iowa DOT and DPS Closing Interstate 35 from Ames to Clear Lake Due to Hazardous Winter Conditions, December 2025
Country Herald, Fulton County, GA – Christmas Eve Record Heat: Atlanta Hits Record 76°; Warmest Christmas Eve Ever Today, December 24, 2025
National Weather Service, Lake Superior Wave Warnings, December 2025