ATLANTA, Ga. — The coldest air of the season so far has settled over metro Atlanta, and forecasters say a hard frost and possibly a freeze are on the way before the weekend is over.
Friday stays chilly and gusty, with afternoon highs only reaching the 50s and the wind making it feel like the 40s for much of the day. Morning readings across north Georgia had already slipped into the 30s and 40s. National Weather Service forecasters expect a high near 54 in the city Friday, with northwest wind gusts up to 25 mph.
A freeze warning covers west and north Georgia from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. Saturday, when temperatures could drop to the freezing mark or lower outside the city. Saturday afternoon should be sunny but cool, again topping out in the low to mid 50s.
The bigger concern for the city comes early Sunday. Forecasters have posted a Sunday freeze watch for the metro area and much of the northern half of the state, running from the early hours until 9 in the morning, and the weather service forecast for the airport area calls for a Saturday night low around 32 with widespread frost. Sunday afternoon looks sunny with a high near 57 once the frost burns off, and the wind should stay light. Sunday night will not be as harsh, with partly cloudy skies and a low around 37. Gardeners may want to cover tender plants or bring potted ones inside, and pet owners should give outdoor animals a warm place to stay.
Clouds return Monday, holding highs in the 50s for a fourth straight day. Readings are expected to rebound into the 60s from Tuesday through the middle of next week.
