Honestly, if you’ve lived in the A long enough, you know the vibes. One day you’re walking the BeltLine in a light hoodie, and the next, you’re digging through the hall closet for that heavy puffer jacket you swore you wouldn't need until February.
Right now, Atlanta is dealing with a classic January mood swing.
As of Sunday night, January 18, 2026, the temperature in the city has dropped to 34°F. It actually feels closer to 29°F thanks to a steady 7 mph wind coming in from the west. It’s clear and crisp out there, which is great for visibility but means all that daytime heat is basically vanishing into the atmosphere.
What’s Happening with the Atlanta Georgia Weather Forecast Right Now?
If you were hoping for more of that spring-like warmth we saw earlier this month—when temperatures actually flirted with the 70s back on January 10—you’re out of luck for a bit. We’ve pivoted back into a genuine winter chill.
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The city isn't taking it lightly.
Because the mercury is dipping toward the freezing mark, the City of Atlanta has officially activated several warming centers. If you know someone who needs a warm place to stay, centers like the Old Adamsville Recreation Center and the Selena S. Butler Park (which is specifically for women and children) are staying open through Tuesday morning.
It’s a smart move. Even though 34°F doesn't sound like "Arctic" levels of cold, the humidity is sitting at 41%, making that air feel sharp and biting.
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The Breakdown for Sunday Night and Monday
Tonight is going to be clear and quiet. The low is expected to settle at 29°F. While there was a tiny 10% chance of some rogue snow flurries earlier in the day, that threat has basically evaporated. We're looking at dry pavement for the Monday morning commute, which is always a win in this town.
Monday, which happens to be MLK Day, is actually looking pretty decent if you plan on participating in any service projects or marches. Here is the gist:
- Conditions: Sunny skies all day.
- High: Topping out around 44°F.
- Wind: Expect a bit of a breeze from the northwest, roughly 10 to 15 mph.
It’s the kind of day where the sun tricks you into thinking it's warm until you actually step outside. Wear layers. Seriously.
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Looking Ahead: Is Snow Actually Coming?
The question everyone asks the second the temp drops below forty: Is it gonna snow? According to the latest data, we aren't looking at a repeat of "Snowmageddon." Most of the moisture is staying to our south or tucked away in the far North Georgia mountains. For metro Atlanta, the next few days are mostly about the cold, not the flakes.
Tuesday looks even colder with a low around 21°F or 22°F. That is the "protect your pipes and bring the pets inside" kind of cold. We’ll see a slight recovery toward the middle of the week, with Wednesday reaching into the 50s, but keep your umbrellas handy. Rain chances start creeping back up by Thursday and Friday.
How to Handle This Week's Cold
Basically, don't let the clear blue skies fool you. Atlanta’s weather in January is notoriously fickle. We went from a record-breaking 72°F just over a week ago to opening emergency warming centers tonight.
What you should do right now:
- Check your tires: Cold snaps make that "low pressure" light pop up like clockwork.
- Drip the faucets: If you're in an older bungalow with exposed pipes, Tuesday night is the time to let them drip.
- Watch the wind: Northwest gusts could reach 20 mph on Monday, making that 44°F feel a lot more like 35°F.
The city plans to keep the warming centers at Old Adamsville and James Orange Park open until at least 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 20. Stay warm, keep an eye on the local radar for those late-week rain showers, and maybe grab an extra coffee for the road tomorrow morning.