Storms turn to cold air this weekend in North Georgia
ATLANTA - It’s time to bundle up, Georgia — a true taste of winter is on the way.
What they're saying:
"This weekend, folks need to get prepared," said FOX 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Greg Majewski. "This is a truly winter air mass coming at us."
After a mild Friday and Saturday with highs in the 60s and 70s, a powerful cold front will sweep across the state Sunday, dropping temperatures sharply and bringing the coldest air so far this season.
"Check the car batteries. If it’s been slow starting, you may want to swap it out this weekend," Majewski said. "Check your heating systems and make sure they’re ready to go, because you’re going to be needing that heat — definitely starting late on Sunday and carrying you right through Wednesday morning."
Saturday and Sunday will feature mild afternoons — around 64° in Atlanta and 70s across much of the Southeast — but that warmth won’t last. As the front arrives Sunday, winds will increase to around 20 mph, setting the stage for a big chill.
Coldest air in Georgia since February
What's next:
"Going into Monday, the real cold stuff settles in," Majewski explained. "Not only are we going to have temperatures struggling to be in the 30s — there will be parts of North Georgia that will not get out of the 30s. It’s going to be brutally cold with the wind chills."
A freeze watch is already in effect for Monday morning, with temperatures expected to drop into the 20s and 30s across much of north and central Georgia. Wind chills could make it feel even colder, especially in the mountains, where snow flurries or light snow showers may develop early Monday.
"There’s even a chance of some scattered snow flurries across northeast Georgia — that’s going to be my snow chase day," Majewski said with a laugh.
Highs Monday will only reach the low 40s, and lows will bottom out in the 20s by Tuesday morning. By Veterans Day, temperatures will rebound slightly into the 50s before climbing back into the upper 60s late next week.
Prepare now for fall freeze
What you can do:
With weekend rain and the first hard freeze of the season on the horizon, Georgians are urged to prepare now rather than wait until temperatures plunge. Here’s how to get ready:
- Keep pipes from freezing
- Protect pets and livestock
- Check your heating system
- Plan ahead for outdoor events and community safety
To read more in-depth advice, read our article on these steps and more.
The Source: Information in this article came from the FOX 5 Storm Team forecast.