I have family in WNC and I would not call the recent weather "mild" in any sense. It has been very, very cold. Last year it was very cold, too.

My eyes water as well, although not as badly as yours from your description. I keep dabbing them with a bandana, and they eventually stop. I do find that putting Weleda Sea Buckthorn Oil on my face before going out in the cold really helps with the skin irritation from the cold.