I think your windmill will be fine. Mine don't get protected either but are near the south side of the house in full sun. They did not suffer bud loss last winter either which was also very wet. So far this winter has been unusually snowy early in the year but like last winter is not too cold (minimum 18 above F--like last year). The year before that they went down to 4.0 F. and there was some sun scald but no bud loss--but is was drier. I do think you are right though about the problems this winter going to do on many palms in the deep South and milder portions of the East. But I expect the damage more of an issue for Butias (Pindo palms)--windmills seem to tolerate cold/wet better than Pindos. I know Needles are rated cold hardiest but I've also read that young ones may not be as cold hardy as windmills. But also remember, spear pull is NOT necessarily a death sentence for these palms.--Still, better not to have to deal with spear pull. Good luck!

I forgot to ask how LONG the windmills have been in there current location?--longer the better in terms of hardiness.
Also, if your palms are small enough, you might want to protect the centers from the winter rain, snow and sleet. Speaking of which, as you may already know, the deep South is forecast to be getting slammed in a few days with sleet, freezing rain and snow. Depending on what the storms does once it reaches the Atlantic (out to sea or up the coastline as yet another supercharged nor'easter), we may have to deal with another knee-deep dumping of snow! Enough already! I don't get it. I thought this was a 'La Nina' year but sure does look like typical El Nino pattern (rain in California, juicy Gulf storms that transform into hurricane-like cyclones once they tap into the Gulf Stream).

Their is a good chance your needle palm will grow new pups in the spring if it isnt damaged too badly, or maybe even a new spear if your lucky!
Wet and cold are always a bad mix! It would have been fine if it was in that spot for 10 years, but young and new needles always seem to be very tender for me.
Good luck!
-Alex

You may want to consider putting something/some kind of
cover over your Needles with spear-pull and treating with fungicide.

The palms you have covered with bubble wrap..are they vented at all?
Do you have any way of knowing the temp in there?
If they are just covered and sunlight get's in the
temp in there can easily be over a 100(F).

Hey everyone, thanks for the responses.

NJO-That particular Needle was a new addition this summer, so the roots had obviously not established much. It was a one-gallon size when planted, so it's first winter sure did hit it hard. Over the weekend I modified a 5-gal bucket to sit over it to provide dryness, but cut vents to allow circulation too. You're spot on re: this weather...forecasting 8" here in Habersham County, GA!

Jim- They aren't vented, but do have removable tops, so on days when the temps are above 45 degrees, I pop the tops before I leave for work and just put them back on before dark. I agree though, it gets pretty darn warm and humid it there. Honestly, I kind of concerned that there is excessive moisture in there as opposed to the heat. I'll definitely keep a close eye on them, but aside from some leaf/frond damage, they look good.

Might want to uncover palms in B-wrap anytime it's above freezing,even with temps in the 20s and sunshine
my palms in B-wrap touch 80(F) or better!

My Needle looks shot already. It's a small one--but still! The Trachys, Sabal Louisiana, and even the Butia look good out there in the snow. I don't get it.