First Freeze Warning of the Season Hits North Georgia

ATLANTA, Ga. — The National Weather Service has issued the first freeze warning of the season for North Georgia. The warning is effective from 1 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday, signaling an arrival of Arctic air that could bring freezing temperatures and a hard freeze by Tuesday morning.

The freeze warning covers much of north and west-central Georgia, including metro Atlanta, Rome, Gainesville, Carrollton, and Marietta. A broader Freeze Watch will follow into Tuesday morning, as experts predict temperatures could drop to the low 20s in northern areas and upper 20s in the Atlanta metro.

According to the FOX 5 Storm Team, gusty winds could create dangerous wind chill factors that make it feel like the teens on Monday morning. Meteorologist Laurann Robinson cautions, “We’re gonna see those temperatures really take a drop.” Overnight lows are projected to be in the upper 20s to low 30s, with wind chills dipping significantly by dawn.

By Tuesday afternoon, the weather should start to improve with wind chill values rising into the upper 30s and lower 40s. Temperatures are expected to rebound into the 70s by the weekend. “If you have exposed pipes, make sure to cover them,” advised Robinson. “You want to protect sensitive plants and check on your pets.”

There is also the possibility of snow showers in higher elevations on Tuesday. Areas above 1,500 feet in counties such as Dawson, Lumpkin, and Fannin could experience snow in the afternoon and evening. Travel impacts may occur in mountain regions during the evening commute, especially with temperatures allowing snow to stick.

The FOX 5 Storm Team cautioned that frost and freezing conditions could damage crops and vegetation, along with unprotected outdoor plumbing. Residents should cover plants, wrap pipes, and ensure pets have warm shelter. The forecast for Atlanta on Monday includes a high of 41 degrees and overnight lows near 32.

Cold air could dominate the north Georgia mountains, where areas like Blairsville and Blue Ridge may see lows in the teens. Wind gusts might reach up to 30 miles per hour, contributing to significant wind chill.

Temperatures are expected to gradually rise throughout the week, with highs in Atlanta projected to soar from the upper 40s on Veterans Day to near 70 by Friday. Clear, dry skies will dominate through the week, although another cold front with potential rain could arrive by the weekend.