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

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

The weekend kicks off with clear skies and frigid conditions. Overnight lows will dip to around 28°F by Saturday morning, with a brisk northwest wind of 10 to 15 mph and gusts up to 25 mph making it feel even colder. Saturday will be sunny but cool, with highs reaching the mid-40s and lighter winds. Expect sub-freezing temperatures overnight across the area.

Soggy Sunday and Monday morning

Sunday brings a shift as 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.

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.

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 will range dropping into the 20s in the metro and teens the higher elevations, with clear skies enhancing radiational cooling and leading to frosty mornings. 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.

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. These include a shortwave in the polar jet moving into the Southeast and an upper-level low over Texas triggering a surface low in the northern Gulf.

If these elements come together, north Georgia could see snow, a wintry mix, or at least cold rain as early as Friday. However, model guidance has been inconsistent, so confidence in this scenario is low. The window for any wintry precipitation appears to be Friday through Sunday, but it’s something to keep an eye on as the forecast evolves.

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

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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