The Brief
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An arctic blast is expected to hit metro Atlanta again, bringing colder temperatures and potential light snowfall in northeastern Georgia by Sunday.
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There has already been an extreme cold watch issued for Metro Atlanta and North Georgia.
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Monday will be sunny but very cold and windy, with highs near freezing and lows in the teens.
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A wintry mix and potential snowfall are expected on Tuesday, with varying predictions on timing and amounts.
ATLANTA – Dozens of Georgia counties are under an extreme cold watch over Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend, with temperatures expected to dip into the teens some nights.
The FOX 5 Storm Team is still looking into the potential for snow at the start of the week. Here’s what we know so far:
What we know
Atlanta residents spent their Saturday with mild weather. Temperatures hovered around 57 degrees during the day, and there were some isolated rain showers. That’s why an extreme cold watch issued earlier that morning took many people by surprise.
According to the National Weather Service, “an Extreme Cold Watch is issued when dangerously cold air temperatures or wind chill values are possible. As with a warning, adjust your plans to avoid being outside during the coldest parts of the day. Make sure your car has at least half a tank of gas, and update your winter survival kit.”
As of Saturday night, the NWS reported an extraordinary threat to life or property in Hall County, Cherokee County, North Fulton County, DeKalb County, Murray County, Catoosa County, Dawson County, Fannin County, South Fulton County, Towns County, Dade County, Whitfield County, Lumpkin County, Union County, Carroll County, Walker County, Polk County, Gwinnett County, Pickens County, Bartow County, Floyd County, Paulding County, White County, Gilmer County, Douglas County, Gordon County, Cobb County, Haralson County, Chattooga County and Forsyth County.
This alert covers now until Monday at noon.
That arctic air is expected to bring not only colder temperatures, but potential snowfall as well.
Will it snow in Georgia in 2025 again?
Timeline
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Sunday: Temperatures will drop throughout the day. Cloudy skies and very light snowfall, if any, are anticipated in the northeast, potentially reaching areas like Canton and Dallas. The Georgia Department of Transportation announced that brine trucks would begin hitting the interstate and state routes at 7 a.m. on Sunday to prepare for the inclement weather.
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Sunday night into Monday: Expect dangerously low wind chills, potentially as low as zero degrees, with an extreme cold watch in effect for Metro Atlanta and North Georgia.
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Monday: Conditions will be sunny but very cold and windy, with highs near freezing and lows in the teens.
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Tuesday: A wintry mix and potential snowfall are expected. One weather forecast model suggests snow will likely move in from the west by Tuesday evening, affecting areas south of metro Atlanta and extending into South Georgia. Meanwhile, another model suggests an earlier arrival of snow by Tuesday afternoon, with more significant snowfall in North Georgia.
Local perspective
Residents should prepare for extreme cold and potential snow, particularly on Tuesday, with cold weather alerts in place.
Atlanta winter weather: Read these before it snows
Atlanta winter weather closings
Snowfall totals could reach up to an inch in Atlanta, with higher amounts expected further south. That could affect any plans to go out during Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend, or to attend the College Football Playoff Championship game.
After the winter storm that hit metro Atlanta and North Georgia at the beginning of January, some schools were closed or operating virtually for an entire week. Many churches canceled Sunday service due to the leftover inclement weather.
The FOX 5 Storm Team will keep an eye on the development of this current cold snap. If there are any closings or delays reported for schools, churches or government buildings, they will be automatically listed here.
What you can do
Georgia residents should monitor the FOX 5 Storm Team’s weather updates for changes in the forecast, especially regarding the timing and impact of the expected snow and cold temperatures. Keep up with the latest by downloading the FREE FOX 5 Storm Team app and following @FOX5StormTeam on X.
This is a developing weather system. Check back for updates and changes to the forecast as they become available.
The Source
This article is based on the latest FOX 5 Storm Team projections for metro Atlanta’s winter weather over Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend.
