Christmas Day Heat Surges Across the Southern and Central United States With Widespread 70s and 80s in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida

UNITED STATES — Christmas Day is shaping up to feel far more like spring than winter for much of the Southern and Central United States. According to the latest NOAA blend of models, temperatures will surge into the 70s and 80s across several states, bringing unusually warm holiday conditions to tens of millions of people.

Forecasters say more than 106 million Americans will experience highs above 70°F, while nearly 6 million will feel temperatures in the 80s on December 25, 2025.

Widespread Warmth From Texas to Florida

Temperature projections show a broad area of unseasonable heat stretching across multiple states:

• Texas: Widespread mid-70s to lower 80s
• Oklahoma & Arkansas: Mid-60s to upper 70s
• Louisiana & Mississippi: Lower to upper 70s
• Alabama & Georgia: Mid-60s to mid-70s
• Florida: 70s to lower 80s depending on region

This warm pocket contrasts sharply with temperatures to the north and west, where colder air remains locked in across the Northern Plains, Upper Midwest, and parts of the Mountain West.

A Strong Temperature Divide Across the Country

The national weather map shows a striking boundary between warm southern air and cold northern air:

• Northern U.S. states—including the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and parts of the Northeast—are forecast to remain in the 20s, 30s, and low 40s, creating a winterlike holiday feel.
• Meanwhile, much of the South will experience weather more comparable to late March or early April.

Meteorologists attribute the warmth to a persistent ridge of high pressure dominating the southern half of the country, allowing warm Gulf air to spread northward.

Not Your Typical Christmas

For many across the South, this year’s Christmas Day weather may feel unusual but not entirely unprecedented. Warm holiday seasons occur periodically when the jet stream shifts northward, blocking colder air from moving into the region.

Still, the extent of this year’s warmth—covering such a large swath of the country—is notable and will break local temperature records in some areas if current forecasts verify.

What Residents Should Expect

• Warm, springlike conditions for holiday gatherings across the Southern U.S.
• Cooler temperatures returning next week for some states as patterns shift
• No major winter storms affecting the South on Christmas Day

More updates will be delivered as forecasters refine Christmas Day projections. How will these warm temperatures affect your holiday plans? Share your thoughts and stay updated at wingspnw.com.