CALHOUN, GA — July 26, 2025 — As Gordon County braces for a stretch of extreme heat next week, officials are opening cooling centers to provide relief to residents, especially vulnerable populations. The immediate concern is scorching temperatures and high humidity levels, but looking further ahead, meteorologists say a larger climate pattern is taking shape that could have lasting effects into fall and winter.
According to most long-range forecasters, a La Niña event is expected to develop this fall. La Niña, marked by cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, often has far-reaching impacts on weather patterns across North America—including here in North Georgia.
“La Niña tends to suppress rainfall and amplify warmth across the Southeast,” said Dr. Renee Halbrook, a climatologist with the Georgia Climate Research Center. “While every La Niña is different, the outlook suggests a dry, warm fall and winter for our region.”
🍂 Fall 2025 Outlook: Warm and Dry
Historically, La Niña conditions in the fall bring:
Below-average rainfall, particularly in October and November.
Fewer cold fronts and reduced storm activity.
Warmer-than-normal temperatures across Georgia, driven by dominant high pressure over the Southeast.
This dry spell could stress crops and local water supplies, prompting concern among farmers and emergency planners alike.
❄️ Winter 2025–26: Mild with Lower Snow Odds
For the winter months, climate models and past La Niña years suggest:
Temperatures:
Warmer-than-average temperatures, especially in December and January.
Cold snaps still possible—particularly in February—but unlikely to persist.
Notable past La Niña winters include 2010–11 (unusually cold), 2017–18, and 2020–21 (both milder).
Precipitation:
Reduced rainfall throughout winter.
Drought concerns may increase due to weaker storm systems tracking across the South.
Severe winter storms are less likely but not off the table.
Snow Chances:
Lower-than-normal probability of snow in North Georgia and metro Atlanta.
Occasional brief snow or ice events still possible if cold air follows a strong front, similar to the January 2011 storm.
As the heatwave rolls in next week, Gordon County Emergency Management is encouraging residents to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity, and check on elderly neighbors. Cooling centers will be open at key locations throughout the county; details are expected to be announced on the county’s official website and social media channels.
“We’re dealing with immediate heat impacts right now, but it’s equally important to be thinking long-term,” said Emergency Coordinator Daniel Marks. “If La Niña conditions develop as forecasted, we’ll need to be prepared for an unusually dry fall and winter.”
For ongoing updates on the heatwave and seasonal outlooks, residents can visit gordoncounty.org or follow the Gordon County EMA on Facebook.
