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Monday Night Weather Update
Clear and cold again overnight with lows well into the 20s. Sunny and milder by Tuesday afternoon, highs in the mid 50s. Rain chance goes up on Thursday. Here is the latest.
ATLANTA - Temperatures plunged into the teens and 20s across metro Atlanta and North Georgia early Monday, with wind chills making it feel even colder, and the cold will return Monday night.
The backstory:
Blairsville dropped to 11°, Gainesville hit 21°, Atlanta bottomed out near 22°, and Coweta County dipped to 19°. Carrollton fell to 15°, but felt more like 10° once the wind chill was factored in.
Across the metro, wind chills ranged from the single digits to the teens, including 13° in Atlanta and 17° in Griffin. Cherokee County briefly hit a bone-chilling 3° before inching upward.
Compared to the same time Sunday — as the arctic front was arriving — temperatures ran 23° to nearly 40° colder across the region.
Brief warm-up this afternoon, then another freeze tonight
What we know:
A Cold Weather Advisory expired at 8 a.m. Monday, but wind chills will remain in the single digits and teens through the morning before improving later today, according to FOX 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Alex Forbes.
Highs will only reach the low to mid-40s this afternoon across metro Atlanta and north Georgia, peaking between 2 and 4 p.m. Clear skies may allow temperatures to rise briefly, but another sharp drop arrives tonight.
Atlanta is forecast to fall back into the upper teens overnight before recovering to around 30° by midmorning Tuesday.
Effects of cold in metro Atlanta
Local perspective:
Officials in Atlanta say the extreme cold led to several isolated water main breaks, all of which have since been repaired. Plumbers are urging households to drip faucets again tonight to protect pipes.
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Cold weather across North Georgia
North Georgia is dealing with cold weather, and it's not quite done yet.
Cities and counties across the region are working to protect people facing homelessness.
Atlanta opens warming centers
As temperatures drop across the metro area, the City of Atlanta will activate overnight warming centers to provide residents with a safe place to stay. The centers are scheduled to open Monday at 8 p.m. through Tuesday at 10 a.m., then reopen Tuesday at 8 p.m. through Wednesday at 8 a.m. Locations include the Central Park Recreation Center at 400 Merritts Avenue NE and the Old Adamsville Recreation Center at 3404 Delmar Lane NW, which will serve as an overflow site. Transportation will be provided nightly starting at 8 p.m. from the Gateway Center, with return transportation offered by Fulton County once the centers deactivate. City officials say activation days and times may change based on updated National Weather Service forecasts.
Cobb County warming center
Cobb County officials say a warming shelter operated by MUST Ministries will be open through Tuesday as cold weather moves into the area. According to the county, the shelter is scheduled to operate from Sunday through Tuesday at MUST Ministries’ facility on Bells Ferry Road in Marietta. Additional details and updates are available through Cobb County Government.
DeKalb County warming centers
DeKalb County officials say warming centers will be open from Sunday through Tuesday as cold temperatures move into the area. According to the DeKalb Emergency Management Agency, the centers are scheduled to operate from Sunday, December 14, through Tuesday, December 16, to provide residents with a safe, warm place during the cold weather period. Activation details, including locations and transportation options, are being coordinated by county officials.
East Point warming center
City of East Point officials say the city’s warming center will remain open longer than originally planned as cold weather persists. The warming center, located at 3121 Norman Berry Drive, opened Sunday at 5 p.m. and is now scheduled to remain open until 8 a.m. Tuesday, December 16. The East Point Fire Department said the city will continue monitoring weather conditions and may adjust the schedule as needed.
Forrest Park cole weather warming station
Forest Park officials say a cold weather warming station is now open as part of the city’s sheltering plan. The Forest Park Recreation Center, located at 803 Forest Parkway, opened to residents Sunday at 6 p.m. and is scheduled to remain open until 8 a.m. Monday as temperatures drop across the area.
Forsyth County overnight emergency warming centers
Forsyth County officials say an overnight warming center will again be open Monday night as dangerously cold temperatures continue. Family Promise of Forsyth County, in partnership with local community organizations, plans to host the warming center for residents in need from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. The center had previously been activated overnight Sunday, December 14. Additional details, including transportation and operating guidelines, are available on the Family Promise of Forsyth County Facebook page.
Hampton warming station
City officials say a dedicated warming station has opened in Hampton following approval from the Henry County Emergency Management Agency. The warming station is operating around the clock from Sunday evening through Wednesday midday as cold weather moves into the area. The site is located at the Catherine Williams Building at 14 Old Griffin Road and does not require registration. City officials say residents needing assistance can contact the city’s non-emergency number at 770-957-9121.
Stockbridge warming stations
As colder temperatures settle in, the City of Stockbridge has opened a warming station to provide relief for community members in need. The warming station is operating at the Merle Manders Conference Center, located at 111 Davis Road, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. City officials say the site is free and open to all, with water, coffee, and seating available throughout the day.
Moderating temperatures this week
What's next:
A gradual warmup begins Tuesday, with Atlanta reaching 54° after a frigid 27° start. Clouds increase Wednesday with highs near 58°.
Rain arrives in the second half of Thursday into early Friday, but clears quickly, leaving Friday afternoon dry. Temperatures then climb through the weekend, reaching near 65° on Sunday — just as winter officially begins.
The Source: Information in this article came from the FOX 5 Storm Team forecast and FOX 5's Marc Teichner reporting from the field.