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Atlanta weather: Arctic blast, wintery possibilities over the next week

By , and
Updated  January 4, 2025 8:39am EST
Winter Weather
FOX 5 Atlanta

Winter weather? What we know and don't know a week out

FOX 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Alex Forbes breaks down what you can read into the winter weather threat.

The Brief

    • The weekend starts with clear but frigid conditions, with temperatures dropping to 28°F and brisk winds making it feel colder.
    • Sunday and Monday will be soggy, with showers intensifying into widespread downpours by Sunday evening and tapering off by Monday afternoon.
    • From Tuesday to Thursday, Arctic air brings sunny but bitterly cold conditions, with highs in the mid-40s and lows in the 20s or teens.
    • There is potential for wintry weather late next week, but uncertainty remains due to inconsistent model guidance; factors include a polar jet shortwave and an upper-level low over Texas.
    • The window for possible wintry precipitation is Friday through Sunday, with the possibility of snow, a wintry mix, or cold rain in north Georgia.

ATLANTA - Winter’s grip is tightening on metro Atlanta and north Georgia, bringing cold air, rain, and even the possibility of wintry precipitation.

SEE ALSO: 17 inches of snow in Atlanta Jan. 9? Experts say probably not

Dry but chilly start to the weekend

Temperatures this afternoon will be in the 40s with a brisk northwest wind of 10 to 15 mph and gusts up to 25 mph. Expect sub-freezing temperatures overnight across the area.

Soggy Sunday and Monday morning

Sunday brings a shift as a cold front and clouds roll in and showers become likely by afternoon. Highs will reach near 50°F, with light winds turning southeast at 5 to 10 mph. Scattered rain showers will intensify into widespread downpours late Sunday evening, continuing into Monday morning. It'll be possible to see a rumble of thunder Monday morning, as well.

By Monday afternoon, the rain will taper off, but a northwesterly breeze will usher in another surge of bone-chilling polar air, marking the second cold blast in just 48 hours.

FOX 5 Storm Team meteorologist Alex Forbes say that it is possible that parts of north Georgia will see a snow flurry or two around Monday afternoon, but it won't be much and won't stick.

SEE ALSO: How to prep your house for freezing weather

Midweek Arctic chill

From Tuesday through Thursday, Arctic air dominates, bringing sunny skies but bitterly cold conditions. Highs will struggle to reach beyond the mid-40s Tuesday through Thursday, with overnight lows ranging from dropping into the 20s in the metro and teens in the higher elevations. Prepare for a string of frigid, dry days and remember to protect your plants, pets and pipes as these dangerously cold temperatures linger across the area.

These cold temperatures are not necessarily in record-breaking territory. But, they are expected to be the coldest the area has seen since last January. 

Friday into next weekend: Wintry possibilities

As we look toward late next week, there’s potential for wintry weather, but uncertainty remains. For snow or a wintry mix to materialize, several atmospheric factors would need to align. We will have the cold conditions in place from the mid-week arctic blast. The million-dollar question is whether or not moisture will be available. 

The recent runs of the global models suggest that will be possible. However, the FOX 5 Storm Team is looking for more consistency in those models for a greater degree of confidence in the forecast. As things stand now, this may be our best chance to see winter weather in years, however it's not a high chance.

SEE ALSO: How much ice does it take to knock out power, damage trees?

Metro Atlanta preparing for cold blast

Local leaders are already getting ready for the below-freezing temperatures by opening warming centers around the area.

DeKalb County will have four warming centers open from Wednesday to Saturday - though they may be extended at a later date.

  • Frontline Response International, 2585 Gresham Road, Atlanta 30316
  • North DeKalb Senior/Community Center, 3393 Malone Drive, Chamblee, GA 30341
  • Mason Mill Recreation Center, 1340 McConnell Drive
  • Exchange Recreation Center, 2771 Columbia Drive

On Monday, DeKalb County will extend the warming centers to 24 hours at Frontline Response International, Exchange Recreation Center, and Mason Mill Recreation Center.  It will also add Toby Grant at 593 Parkdale Drive. North DeKalb Senior/Community Center will be open overnight.

You can find a list of transportation pickups to Frontline on the DeKalb County government's website.

Gwinnett County's warming center locations are below:

  • Buford Senior Center, 2755 Sawnee Avenue in Buford
  • Shorty Howell Park Activity Building, 2750 Pleasant Hill Road in Duluth
  • Best Friend Park Gym, 6224 Jimmy Carter Boulevard in Norcross
  • Centerville Senior Center, Bethany Church Road in Snellville
  • Lawrenceville Senior Center, 225 Benson Street in Lawrenceville

You can find more details about bus transit here.

Clayton County will open its police headquarters at 7911 North McDonough Street in Jonesboro as a warming center. The county has also partnered with Anoited Vision of Hope on Webb Road and Calvary Refuge Homeless Center on Thurman Road to stay open overnight.  

Gilmer County is opening its Gilmer County Civic Center on South Main Street in Ellijay as a warming center through Saturday. Doors will open at 5 p.m. each day and close the next morning at 7 a.m. Dinner and breakfast will be offered. Pets are welcome and will be fed and kenneled on arrival.

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The Source: This article is based on the forecast created by the FOX 5 Storm Team and warming center information from various metro Atlanta counties.

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