You’ve probably heard the jokes. A single snowflake falls on Peachtree Street and the local grocery stores sell out of bread and milk in twenty minutes. Honestly, it’s a classic Atlanta tradition. But if you’re looking at the weather for Atlanta Georgia today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, it’s not just a meme. There is some actual weirdness happening with the sky.
Basically, we are currently sitting at 36°F, but it feels like a biting 29°F because of a 8 mph northwest wind. If you stepped outside early this morning, you likely noticed it's cloudy and feels much rawer than the thermometer suggests.
The Snow Situation is Kinda Complicated
Everyone wants to know if it's going to stick. Here is the deal: we have a 20% chance of snow during the daytime today. But don't go looking for your sled just yet. While the National Weather Service has issued Winter Weather Advisories for areas just to our south and east—think places like Henry, Butts, and Newton counties—Atlanta itself is sitting right on the "sharp cutoff line."
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The system is moving in from the northwest, and there’s this "overrunning" precipitation event where warm, moist air from the Gulf is hitting the cold air already in place. For the I-85 corridor, including the city, snow chances have actually increased this morning, but accumulation isn't expected to be a major thing.
However, meteorologists at the Peachtree City office are literally telling people: "DO NOT LET YOUR GUARD DOWN." If the track shifts even a tiny bit to the north or west, we could see a quick coating. As of right now, the heaviest wet snow (roughly 1 to 3 inches) is reserved for folks down near Macon and Griffin. For us in the city, the high is only going to reach 41°F. That is barely above freezing during the peak of the day.
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Why Tonight is Actually the Real Problem
While everyone is staring at the sky for white flakes today, the real mess starts after the sun goes down. The low tonight is dropping to 28°F.
Because we’ve had some moisture and the daytime temperatures are staying in the low 40s, anything that melts or stays damp on the roads is going to turn into "black ice" by Monday morning. The humidity is currently at 58% but will drop to about 42% as the day goes on.
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- Current Temp: 36°F (Feels like 29°F)
- Wind: 11 mph from the northwest (daytime peak)
- UV Index: 3 (despite the clouds, there's a bit of reach)
- Condition: Transitioning from cloudy to sunny later this afternoon
It's one of those classic Georgia winter days where the weather is trying to do three things at once. We've got clear skies predicted for tonight, which sounds nice until you realize that clear skies allow all the heat to escape, plunging us into that 28°F freeze.
What You Should Actually Do
If you have plans to head to Piedmont Park for the "3.8 Miles of Strength" community walk or that R&B rooftop brunch on Edgewood, just dress in layers. Seriously. The northwest wind is going to stay consistent at about 11 mph, and it makes a massive difference when you're standing in the shade.
Watch the roads if you’re driving late tonight. The "refreeze" concern is the phrase the NWS keeps using, and they aren't kidding. Any bridge or overpass on I-75 or I-285 is going to be a skating rink by 4:00 AM Monday.
Actionable Steps for Today:
- Check the I-85 Corridor: If you are traveling south of the city toward Griffin or Madison, expect slushy roads and check the 511 GA app before you leave.
- Drip Your Faucets: With a low of 28°F, it's not a "historic" freeze, but if your pipes are exposed or your house is older, it’s better to be safe.
- Watch the "Backside": The precipitation shield has a very narrow band of heavy, wet snow on its back edge. If you see it start dumping suddenly, it’ll likely be over in an hour, but it could make visibility terrible for a few minutes.
- Monday Commute: Give yourself an extra 15 minutes tomorrow morning. Even if there's no snow on your lawn, black ice doesn't need a blizzard to form—just a damp road and a temperature drop.
The "weather for Atlanta Georgia today" is basically a game of inches. A slight nudge in the atmospheric pressure and we’re all working from home; a slight nudge the other way and it’s just a cold, sunny Sunday. For now, stay dry and keep the heater on.