A pleasantly cool and dry Thanksgiving is in store for those staying or arriving in Georgia for celebrations.
It may have felt like we were going to miss a traditionally chilly holiday due to the recent warm trend. But a big drop in temperatures is coming overnight. So go ahead and pull out those flannels and blankets.
Lows will plunge to near-freezing Wednesday night, and Thursday’s highs are expected to stay in the 40s and 50s around Atlanta and the low 60s to the south, according to the National Weather Service. That pattern is projected to carry through Sunday, though weekend lows should stay in the 40s.
The next few nights will be so cold across North Georgia — especially Thursday and Friday, when temps are expected to be right at freezing — that some local governments will open warming centers for those who don’t have access to heat.
“Haven’t needed that heavy winter coat for a couple of weeks, but go find it today because we’re going to need it over the next couple of days,” Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said.
The average peak temperature for this time of year is 61 degrees in the metro area, with a typical low of 41.
It will also be drier.
“Thanksgiving will feature weather to truly be thankful for,” Weather Service meteorologists report. “Mostly sunny skies — perfect for any family photos being taken outdoors!”
Tuesday saw waves of rain and storms blow across the state as a cold front clashed with the warmth we’ve been dealing with for the past several days. That led to heavy downpours in some locations and a brief ground stop at several airports, including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
The same storm system caused travel headaches across large swaths of the country amid what experts said was the busiest day for airports. Wednesday is expected to be the heaviest road travel day.
Starting on Thursday, it will be so dry the NWS is warning to monitor fire weather conditions since humidity is projected to be low. With nearly 82% of the state under some level of drought, there is plenty of fuel for wildfires.
Rain should be back in the forecast by Sunday, just in time for many travelers’ trips home. Around Atlanta, there is a 40% chance of showers that is expected to linger at least into the first half of the week.
Temps should also make a rebound into the low 60s starting Monday.
Warming center openings
In Atlanta, two recreation centers will be open to those seeking shelter from the bitter cold Thursday and Friday nights. They will be open from 8 p.m. to 9 a.m. the following day and include:
- Central Park Recreation Center at 400 Merritts Avenue;
- Old Adamsville Recreation Center at 3404 Delmar Lane.
In DeKalb County, four centers will open at 6:30 p.m. from Wednesday through Friday. They include:
- Frontline Response International at 2585 Gresham Road;
- St. Vincent de Paul at 2050-C Chamblee Tucker Road;
- Mason Mill Recreation Center at 1340 McConnell Drive;
- Exchange Recreation Center at 2771 Columbia Drive.
Gwinnett County’s warming stations will open at 6 p.m. Thursday. They include:
- Buford Senior Center at 2755 Sawnee Avenue;
- Shorty Howell Park Activity Building at 2750 Pleasant Hill Road;
- Best Friend Park Gym at 6224 Jimmy Carter Boulevard;
- Gwinnett Community Resource Center at 3025 Bethany Church Road;
- Lawrenceville Senior Center at 225 Benson Street.
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