So, you’re looking at the atlanta weather five day forecast and thinking, "Wait, wasn’t this supposed to be the Sunny South?" Honestly, the next few days in Atlanta are looking more like a scene from a low-budget winter movie than a Georgia postcard. If you’re currently in the city, you’ve probably noticed that biting chill. Right now, it’s a crisp 31°F outside, but with that west wind moving at 6 mph, it feels more like a shivering 25°F.
Clear skies? Sure. Warmth? Absolutely not.
What’s Actually Happening with the Atlanta Weather Five Day Outlook
Basically, Atlanta is stuck in a bit of a refrigerator. We just had some snow flurries move through the region earlier today—Sunday, January 18—and while the accumulation was mostly south and east of the city in places like Putnam and Monroe counties, the cold air is definitely making itself at home. The City of Atlanta has even opened warming centers at the Central Park and Selena S. Butler Recreation Centers because, let’s be real, these temperatures are no joke for our area.
Here is the breakdown of what your next five days actually look like.
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Monday: The Brightest Freebox
Tomorrow, Monday, January 19, is going to be gorgeous to look at through a window. It’ll be sunny, but that's a trap. We’re looking at a high of 44°F and a low of 26°F. The northwest wind is going to be kicking up to 13 mph, so that "wind chill" factor is going to make your morning commute feel pretty brutal. If you’re heading out for MLK Day events, layers aren't just a suggestion; they're a requirement.
Tuesday: Cold and Dry
Tuesday stays in that same sunny-but-cold pattern. The high drops slightly to 41°F, and the low hits 25°F. Humidity is plummeting to about 27%, which means static electricity and dry skin are the vibe of the day. The sky will stay clear, though we might see a few periodic clouds creeping in by nighttime.
Wednesday: The Turning Point
This is where the atlanta weather five day forecast starts to shift gears. Wednesday, January 21, brings the clouds back. We finally break into the 50s with a high of 50°F, but it’s going to be a "grey" kind of day. There’s a tiny 10% chance of some snow flurries during the day, which likely won't stick, followed by a 10% chance of light rain once the sun goes down and the temperature hits the 27°F low.
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Thursday and Friday: The Damp Descent
By Thursday, the air starts holding a lot more moisture. Humidity jumps to 69%. We’re looking at a high of 48°F and a low of 39°F. It’s going to be cloudy and just... damp.
Friday, January 23, is when you’ll definitely need the umbrella. We hit a high of 52°F, which sounds warm compared to today, but with a 45% chance of light rain throughout the day and night, it’s going to be that messy, Southern winter soup.
Survival Tips for the Week
It’s easy to get caught off guard when Georgia tries to pretend it’s Maine. Since we’re dealing with temperatures dropping into the mid-20s for the next three nights, there are a few things you should probably handle before you go to bed tonight.
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- Drip the Faucets: When it hits 25°F, those exterior pipes get nervous. Give them a slow drip to keep things moving.
- Check Your Pets: If it's too cold for you to stand outside in a t-shirt for ten minutes, it's too cold for them. Bring 'em in.
- Layering is a Science: Monday’s 13 mph wind will cut through a single heavy coat. Go with a base layer, a fleece, and then a windbreaker or coat to trap the heat.
- Watch the Roads: While no major snow is in the immediate 48-hour forecast, any leftover moisture from today’s flurries can refreeze into "black ice" tonight. Be careful on the overpasses.
The atlanta weather five day outlook is essentially a slow climb from "frozen solid" to "chilly and wet." It’s not exactly beach weather, but at least by Friday, we’ll be back in the 50s. Stay warm out there.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Insulate Your Pipes: Ensure any exposed outdoor piping is wrapped or at least the water is set to a slow drip before the temperature hits 26°F tomorrow night.
- Prep Your Morning Commute: Factor in an extra 10 minutes for Monday and Tuesday mornings to defrost your windshield—those overnight lows of 25-26°F will definitely leave a thick layer of frost.
- Inventory Your Rain Gear: Since the end of the week shifts from dry cold to light rain, make sure your umbrella and waterproof boots are accessible by Thursday morning.