The lowest temperature ever recorded in Georgia stands as a striking reminder of how even a southern state can experience brutal winter chill. On January 21, 1985, the mercury plunged to ‑17 °F (‑27 °C) in the town of Blakely, located in Early County in the southwestern part of the state. This record‑low reading, verified by the National Weather Service, remains the coldest temperature officially observed in Georgia’s history and continues to be referenced in climate studies, emergency‑management planning, and everyday conversations about extreme weather.
Historical Record of the Coldest Temperature in Georgia
The Event of January 21, 1985
- Date and Time: Early morning hours of January 21, 1985, with the lowest reading occurring around 6 a.m. local time.
- Location: Blakely, Early County, Georgia (approximately 31.38° N, 84.93° W).
- Recorded Value: ‑17 °F (‑27 °C), as measured by a standard NOAA‑approved thermometer at a cooperative weather station.
- Verification: The observation was cross‑checked with nearby stations and later archived in the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) database, confirming its validity as the state’s all‑time low.
Context Within Georgia’s Climate History
- Prior to 1985, Georgia’s coldest recorded temperature was ‑12 °F (‑24 °C) observed in the northern mountains in 1940.
- The 1985 event surpassed that mark by five degrees, illustrating a rare but potent intrusion of Arctic air deep into the southeastern United States.
- Since then, no official measurement has approached ‑17 °F; the closest subsequent lows have hovered around ‑10 °F (‑23 °C) in the higher elevations of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Meteorological Explanation: How Georgia Reached ‑17 °F
Arctic Outbreak Dynamics
An Arctic outbreak—a massive surge of frigid air originating from the polar regions—traveled southward across the Plains and into the Southeast. Several synergistic factors amplified the cold snap over Georgia:
- Strong High‑Pressure Ridge: A solid anticyclone settled over the western United States, steering the cold air mass southeastward without significant modification.
- Clear Skies and Radiational Cooling: Nighttime skies over Blakely were exceptionally clear, allowing longwave radiation to escape efficiently, which dropped surface temperatures rapidly after sunset.
- Snow Cover: A thin layer of snow that had fallen earlier in the week increased the surface albedo, reflecting solar radiation and further reducing daytime heating.
- Low Humidity: The air mass was exceptionally dry, limiting the insulating effect of water vapor and enhancing radiative loss.
Role of Topography
Although Blakely lies in the relatively flat Coastal Plain, its proximity to the Fall Line—where the Piedmont meets the Coastal Plain—created a slight elevation gradient that facilitated cold‑air drainage. Cold, dense air settled into the low‑lying valleys, producing localized temperature depressions that were a few degrees colder than surrounding areas The details matter here..
Comparison with Typical Winter Conditions
- Average January Low: In Blakely, the typical January low hovers around 34 °F (1 °C).
- Deviation: The 1985 record represents a 51 °F (28 °C) departure from the climatological norm, underscoring the extraordinary nature of the event.
Impacts and Responses to the Extreme Cold
Immediate Effects on Infrastructure
- Power Outages: The sudden surge in heating
