FrostList

When to Winterize Your RV in Athens-Clarke County, GA

ON TRACK137 days until first 28°F freezeNov 25

Athens-Clarke County's deadline to winterize your RV is November 15: the local first 28°F freeze runs November 25 on average and November 7 at its earliest (1991–2020 normals). It's a short step from frost to a hard freeze: roughly 15 days on average.

OUTLOOK

Typical first first 28°F freeze near Nov 25; local deadline about Nov 15. The live 10-day outlook loads here.

Local freeze dates for Athens-Clarke County

ThresholdEarly (1-in-10)MedianLate (9-in-10)
32°F (light freeze)Oct 28Nov 10Nov 27
28°F (hard freeze)Nov 7Nov 25Dec 19
24°F (severe)Nov 21Dec 13Jan 11

NOAA station: Athens Ben Epps AP · 1.7 mi away · 785 ft elevation.

For Athens-Clarke County, the nearest NOAA station with freeze data is Athens Ben Epps AP, 1.7 miles out at 785 feet. Median first-freeze dates there run 32°F by Nov 10, 28°F by Nov 25, 24°F by Dec 13. That hard freeze has landed anywhere from Nov 7 to Dec 19, a swing of roughly 42 days. Spring's last 32°F freeze clears around Mar 23. Snowfall averages 1 inches a year.

Expect the first frost near Nov 10 in Athens-Clarke County and the first hard freeze by about Nov 25. Year to year, the first 32°F night has fallen anywhere from Oct 28 to Nov 27 — about 30 days apart. Spring's final freeze lands near Mar 23 and as late as Apr 10, so that is when outdoor water and stored gear can safely come back online. Measurable snow is rare, so the freeze near Mar 23 — not snow load — drives the local prep list.

Your rv checklist

  1. Drain the fresh, gray, and black tanks, then drain the water heater only after it has cooled and lost pressure.
  2. Bypass the water heater so you do not waste six gallons of antifreeze filling the tank.
  3. Blow out the lines with a compressor at about 30–40 psi, then pump non-toxic RV antifreeze through every faucet until it runs pink.
    Helpful gear: RV antifreeze (6-pack) — Recommended pick
  4. Use a water-pump converter kit to draw antifreeze straight from the jug through the plumbing.
    Helpful gear: Water pump converter kit — Recommended pick
  5. Pour a cup of antifreeze into each drain trap and the toilet to protect the seals.
  6. Fit a blow-out plug at the city-water inlet so you can clear that line too.
    Helpful gear: Blow-out plug — Recommended pick
  7. Remove batteries or put them on a maintainer, and store them off a cold concrete floor.
  8. Cover roof vents, close the propane, and set out traps or deterrents so mice do not move in.

What to have on hand

RV antifreeze (6-pack)
Non-toxic pink fluid for the fresh-water plumbing and traps.
Recommended pick
Water pump converter kit
Siphon kit that draws antifreeze straight through the pump.
Recommended pick
Blow-out plug
Adapter that lets a compressor clear the lines before antifreeze.
Recommended pick
Heated fresh-water hose
For anyone staying hooked up through a cold snap.
Recommended pick

What this means locally

Against its neighbors, Athens-Clarke County (first freeze Nov 25) runs close to Johns Creek (Nov 22) and close to Peachtree Corners (Nov 22). Across Georgia, local prep deadlines in our data range from Nov 9 to Dec 16, so a statewide rule of thumb would miss Athens-Clarke County by weeks. In Athens-Clarke County, that same cold is your cue to shut down your sprinklers and winterize a boat.

Other winter jobs in Athens-Clarke County

Every task below is dated to Athens-Clarke County's own freeze and snow normals.

Sprinklers → Nov 15Frozen pipes → Oct 28Car battery → Nov 25Sump pump → Mar 23Boat → Nov 18Motorcycle → Nov 10

See the full Athens-Clarke County winter checklist, in order →

Frequently asked questions

At what temperature do RV pipes freeze?
An RV's exposed plumbing and thin-walled tanks can begin to freeze once temperatures sit in the mid-20s for a few hours, sooner than a house because there is little insulation around the lines. That is why the winterizing deadline tracks the first 28°F freeze rather than the first light frost.
How much RV antifreeze do I need?
Most travel trailers and motorhomes take about two to three gallons of non-toxic RV antifreeze, and larger rigs more. Bypassing the water heater saves roughly six gallons you would otherwise waste filling the tank. Buy an extra jug; stores sell out once the first freeze warnings hit.
Can I just use my RV furnace instead of winterizing?
Relying on the furnace is risky. A propane run-out, a tripped breaker, or a dead battery during a cold night leaves the plumbing unprotected, and the furnace may not keep the underbelly and bays warm enough anyway. Draining and adding antifreeze is the dependable way to protect the system.
How do I winterize an RV water heater?
Let the tank cool and lose pressure, then drain it and, if fitted, pull the anode rod. Do not add antifreeze to the water heater tank; instead, set the bypass valves so antifreeze skips the tank and fills only the lines. Fresh antifreeze in an unbypassed heater just wastes several gallons.
When is it safe to de-winterize an RV in Athens-Clarke County?
Wait until the last spring freeze has passed, which averages near Mar 23 here. De-winterize by flushing the antifreeze from the lines, sanitizing the fresh tank, and checking for leaks before a trip. Reopening too early risks a surprise late freeze on a charged system.
Do I need to winterize an RV stored indoors?
A reliably heated indoor space that stays above freezing protects the plumbing, so full winterizing may not be needed. But an unheated garage or barn can still drop below freezing on a cold night. If you cannot guarantee the space stays warm, winterize to be safe.

Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals via Athens Ben Epps AP, live outlook by Open-Meteo. Sources · Methodology. Last updated: July 11, 2026.