SOUTHEAST — Tonight is shaping up to be the coldest night residents across the Southeast will experience until fall, with temperatures plunging into the 30s across the Appalachian mountains and upper elevations and the 40s spreading broadly across the Carolinas, Tennessee, and surrounding states as a cold air mass settles firmly over the region valid at 11Z Friday May 15 2026.
WeatherBell Analytics data shows minimum temperatures bottoming out at 31.9 degrees at the coldest spots, making tonight a night where residents may want to consider flipping the heat on before bed.
Appalachians and Upper Southeast Dropping Into the 30s Overnight
The coldest temperatures tonight are concentrated across the Appalachian mountain communities and upper portions of the Southeast, where readings are forecast to fall into the 30s during the overnight hours through Friday morning.
Temperatures across the higher elevations and northern stretches of the region are shown dropping into the upper 30s and low 40s on the WeatherBell valid forecast, with some of the coldest pockets sitting in the 36 to 39 degree range across mountain communities in the Carolinas and Tennessee.
The 30s overnight in mid-May represent a significant cold snap that stands in sharp contrast to the warmth that is building and set to return across the region heading into next week.
Broad 40s Coverage Spreading Across Carolinas Tennessee and Surrounding States
A wide swath of the Southeast including the Carolinas, Tennessee, northern Georgia, Alabama, and surrounding states will see overnight lows settling into the 40s as the cold air mass spreads broadly across the region tonight into Friday morning.
Temperature readings across this broad mid-South corridor are shown ranging from the low to mid 40s in the most impacted areas, with values gradually moderating into the upper 40s and low 50s further south toward the Gulf Coast states.
The 40s coverage stretches across a large geographic area, meaning millions of residents from the Carolinas westward through Tennessee and into portions of the Mid-South will wake up to a noticeably cold Friday morning on May 15.
Tonight Likely the Last Cold Night Until Fall Before Warm-Up Takes Over
Forecasters are emphasizing that tonight represents the likely final cold night of the spring season before the pattern flips dramatically and warmth returns to dominate the Southeast through the summer months ahead.
Once this cold night passes, temperatures across the region are expected to climb rapidly as a significant warm-up pattern takes hold heading into next week, making tonight’s cold snap a brief but notable final farewell to cool spring conditions.
Residents across the Southeast are advised to bring in any cold-sensitive plants tonight, protect outdoor pets, and consider running the heat for comfort as temperatures fall to their coldest point until fall across the region. Stay with GordonRamsayClub.com for the latest updates.
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