Atlanta is weird. Honestly, it’s a city that doesn't know what it wants to be when January rolls around. People from the North come down here thinking they can pack shorts and a dream, but then they end up shivering in line at a Chick-fil-A because the humidity turned a 40-degree breeze into a piercing ice needle. If you're asking what's the temp in Atlanta Georgia right now, today—Friday, January 16, 2026—it’s actually a pretty crisp 35°F.
The sun is out, but don't let that fool you into thinking it's t-shirt weather. It feels more like 30°F. The wind is coming out of the south at about 7 mph, which isn't a gale, but it's enough to keep things chilly. Basically, it’s that classic Georgia winter "bait and switch" where the sky looks like July but the air feels like a meat locker.
The Reality of What's the Temp in Atlanta Georgia Today
You’ve gotta look at the spread for today to really get it. We’re looking at a high of 50°F and a low that’s going to crater down to 23°F tonight. That is a massive 27-degree swing.
That’s Atlanta for you.
You start your morning scraping frost off your windshield and end your afternoon wishing you hadn't worn the heavy wool sweater to lunch. Humidity is sitting at 43%, which is actually quite dry for us. Usually, we’re a swamp, but January brings this dry, high-pressure air that makes the sunlight feel sharp.
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If you're heading out to the Battery or walking the BeltLine later, keep in mind that things change fast. The uv index is low—only a 1—so you aren't going to burn, but that south wind is going to pick up to about 11 mph as the day goes on. By tonight, we’re trading the clear skies for light rain. There’s a 45% chance of the wet stuff moving in after dark.
Why Atlanta Weather is So Unpredictable
Most people think "The South" means "The Tropics." Nope.
Atlanta sits at about 1,000 feet above sea level. We’re in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. That elevation matters. Cold air trapped against the mountains (a phenomenon called "cold air damming" or the "wedge") can keep the city shivering while places just two hours south in Macon are enjoying a mild afternoon.
- January Averages: Usually, a typical January day here sees a high of 53°F and a low of 35°F.
- Today's Reality: We’re actually a bit colder on the low end today, hitting 23°F tonight compared to that 35°F average.
- The "Feels Like" Factor: Because of the 42% humidity and the wind, the "perceived" temperature is almost always lower in the shade and higher in the sun.
I’ve lived through "Snowmageddon" and "Snowpocalypse." I know how it goes. If the temperature in Atlanta Georgia even whispers the word "freezing" and there's a cloud in the sky, the grocery stores run out of bread and milk in forty-five minutes. It’s a local tradition. We don't have enough salt trucks, and our hills turn into literal ice rinks. Thankfully, today is just sunny and cold—no "wintry mix" drama to worry about until the mountains further north get a dusting.
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Dressing for the Atlanta "Wedge"
Look, layering isn't just a suggestion here; it’s a survival strategy. If you're wondering what's the temp in Atlanta Georgia because you're packing a suitcase, listen up. You need a shell that stops the wind. A light down "puffy" jacket is the unofficial uniform of Midtown for a reason.
You'll see people in Canada Goose parkas next to college kids in gym shorts. It makes no sense. But that’s because if you’re standing in the sun, 50°F feels like 60°F. Step into the shadow of a skyscraper? Boom. It’s 40°F again.
- Morning (7 AM - 10 AM): It’s 35°F. You need gloves and a hat if you’re walking the dog.
- Midday (12 PM - 3 PM): Hitting that high of 50°F. You can probably ditch the heavy coat for a fleece.
- Evening (6 PM onwards): The temp starts diving. That 23°F low is coming for us. Bring the big coat if you’re going out for drinks.
Honestly, the most annoying part of the weather today is the transition. We’re moving from a bone-dry sunny day into a soggy Friday night. That light rain coming tonight might not seem like much, but with temps dropping toward the 20s, it’s going to be a messy Saturday morning.
The Science of the "South Wind"
Today’s wind is coming from the south. Usually, that means "warmth." But because of the high-pressure system currently sitting over the Southeast, that south wind is just moving cold air around the base of the mountains. It’s a bit of a meteorological irony.
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National Weather Service data for Cobb County and the surrounding metro area suggests we should be careful with fire today too. Even though it's cold, the humidity is low enough that grass fires can start easily. It’s a weird paradox: it’s wet enough to rain tonight, but dry enough to catch fire this afternoon.
Looking Ahead: Is Winter Over?
Short answer: No.
January is historically our coldest month. While we sometimes get "False Spring" in February where the tulips start peeking out, we almost always get a hard freeze in March that kills everyone's hydrangeas. If you're looking at what's the temp in Atlanta Georgia and thinking of planting anything, just stop. Wait until April.
The weather today is a perfect snapshot of a Georgia winter. It’s beautiful, it’s bright, it’s confusing, and it’s going to be freezing by tomorrow morning.
To stay ahead of the curve today, make sure you've disconnected your garden hoses before the sun goes down. That 23°F low tonight is legit "pipe-bursting" weather if you aren't careful. If you’re driving late tonight or early tomorrow, watch for those damp spots on the road—that rain could easily turn into "black ice" as the ground temp drops. Keep an eye on the local radar as that 45% precipitation chance starts to climb after 8:00 PM.