Check the sky. If you’re standing near the Varsity or stuck in the inevitable I-85 crawl, you already know the answer. But if you're planning your commute or wondering if that outdoor dinner at Ponce City Market is a total wash, here’s the deal: as of late afternoon Wednesday, January 14, 2026, Atlanta is dealing with some stubborn, light scattered showers.
It isn't a torrential downpour. Honestly, it’s more of that annoying, misty Georgia drizzle that makes the roads just slick enough to be a headache.
Why is it raining in Atlanta Georgia today?
The culprit is a fast-moving cold front slicing through the Deep South. While we’ve had some unseasonably mild temperatures earlier today—hitting the low 50s—the "Arctic gate" is basically swinging wide open. Meteorologists like Brian Monahan have been tracking this shift all morning. As that cold air crashes into the lingering humidity, it’s squeezing out these light showers across the metro area.
You’ve probably noticed the wind picking up too. That’s the real story.
As the sun goes down tonight, those raindrops might just try to do something fancy. While the city itself is mostly seeing liquid rain, the higher elevations in North Georgia—think Fannin and Union counties—are bracing for a transition to light snow or flurries. For us in the city? It’s mostly just going to stay wet and get progressively, brutally cold.
The 24-Hour Forecast: From Rain to Ice
If you’re asking is it raining in Atlanta Georgia because you have plans for Thursday, you might want to swap your umbrella for a heavy parka. Once this current band of rain clears out late tonight, the temperature is going to crater.
We are looking at a low of 27°F tonight.
That means any water left on the roads from this afternoon’s showers could turn into "black ice" patches by the morning commute. The National Weather Service in Peachtree City has been vocal about this—the moisture is exiting, but the freeze is coming in fast.
- Tonight: Rain tapers off, clouds linger, and the wind chill makes it feel like the teens.
- Thursday Morning: Dry, but dangerously cold. Clear skies won't help the 35°F high feel any warmer.
- The Weekend: Actually, keep that umbrella handy for Friday night. There’s another 40% chance of rain moving in as we head into the weekend.
Is Atlanta actually a rainy city?
It’s a common misconception that Atlanta is "dry" just because we aren't Seattle. Actually, we get more annual rainfall than Seattle does. We average about 50 inches a year. January usually brings around 4.5 inches spread over 7 to 10 rainy days.
Today is pretty typical for a mid-January "wedge" event or a cold front passage.
What makes Atlanta rain different is the intensity. We don't usually do "all-day gray." We do "sudden thunderstorm that floods the Downtown Connector" followed by bright sunshine. Today's light showers are actually the more rare, persistent type that comes with these big winter temperature swings.
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Local tips for navigating the wet weather
- Watch the "Spaghetti Junction" Curves: When it rains like this, the oil on the asphalt rises to the surface. It’s a skating rink.
- Check the Hartsfield-Jackson Delays: Even if it’s just a light rain here, the wind accompanying this front can trigger ground stops or ripple-effect delays at the world's busiest airport.
- Drip Your Faucets: Since it's raining now and will be well below freezing by 4:00 AM, the humidity and the drop are a recipe for pipe stress.
Looking ahead at the radar, the back edge of this rain system is already moving through Alabama. We should see the actual "rain" part of the day wrap up by 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM tonight. After that, it’s all about the wind and the cold.
If you are heading out, definitely check a live radar app like the WSB-TV Weather app or the NWS Atlanta Twitter feed. Things are moving fast with this Arctic front.
Next Steps for Atlantans:
- Bring in your outdoor plants before 10:00 PM tonight.
- Ensure your pets have a warm place to stay as the rain transitions to a hard freeze.
- Check your tire pressure; the sudden drop from today's rain to tonight's freeze will likely trigger your "low tire" light by tomorrow morning.