Honestly, if you stepped outside in the A-T-L this morning and felt like your face was about to shatter, you’re not alone. It’s cold. Properly cold. We aren’t talking about that "put on a light cardigan" Georgia winter—we’re talking about "Arctic air is officially here" winter.
What's the temperature in Atlanta Georgia today?
The official numbers coming out of Hartsfield-Jackson and the surrounding metro area tell a chilly story. For Thursday, January 15, 2026, the high temperature is only reaching about 35°F.
Earlier this morning, folks were waking up to a low of 26°F, which is enough to make any Southerner want to crawl back under the duvet and stay there until April. But the thermometer doesn't tell the whole story. While the air temperature hovered in the 20s and 30s as the sun came up, the wind was acting like a total bully.
The wind chill factor is the real story
You've probably heard the phrase "feels like," and today, it's doing a lot of heavy lifting. With northwest winds gusting up to 15 mph—and some local reports even seeing gusts much higher—the wind chill has been dragging the perceived temperature down into the teens and even single digits in some spots.
Basically, the air temperature is 28°F right now as we head into the evening, but it feels more like 23°F.
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The humidity is sitting around 49%, which is relatively dry for us. That "dry cold" might be better than a damp one, but it doesn't make the northwest wind any less sharp. If you’re heading out for dinner or just taking the dog for a quick lap around the block, you’re going to want the heavy coat, the gloves, and probably the scarf you usually keep in the back of the closet for "real" winters.
Why this cold snap is actually a big deal
It's easy to joke about Atlanta shutting down at the first sign of a snowflake, but the city is taking this January 15th freeze seriously. The City of Atlanta has actually opened several warming centers starting tonight at 8:00 p.m. to help people get out of these sub-freezing conditions.
Places like the Old Adamsville Recreation Center and the Selena S. Butler Park and Recreation Center (which is specifically for women and children) are gearing up for a busy night. When the city starts providing transportation from the Gateway Center just to keep people from being out in the elements, you know the "what's the temperature in Atlanta Georgia today" search is more than just curiosity—it’s a safety concern.
Looking at the "Big Picture" for Georgia
This isn't just an Atlanta thing. Our neighbors to the south are sweating too, but for a different reason. Citrus farmers in South Georgia and down into Florida are currently racing to save their crops from this same Arctic front. According to Bill Lennon, a veteran citrus grower, they're worried about ice forming inside the fruit. It’s a $7 billion industry on the line because of this specific cold front pushing through the Peach State.
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What to expect for the rest of the day
If you were hoping for a late-afternoon warm-up, I've got bad news. The sun might be "sunny" or "clear" according to the forecast, but it’s a deceptive kind of bright. It’s what we call "chamber of commerce weather" if the chamber of commerce was located in the Yukon.
- Current Condition: Clear skies (at least the sun is out!)
- High: 35°F (reached earlier today)
- Low: 26°F (expected to dip back down tonight)
- Precipitation: There was a tiny 5% chance of some "wintry mix" or light snow earlier, but for the most part, it’s just dry and frigid.
Comparing today to Atlanta's history
Is this normal? Kinda. January is historically our coldest month. The average high for January 15th in Atlanta is usually around 53°F, with a low of 35°F.
So, today being stuck at a high of 35°F means we are nearly 20 degrees below our seasonal average.
We aren't breaking the all-time record of 9°F set back in 1927 (thank goodness), but we are definitely in the "unusually cold" category. For context, on this day in 2017, it was a balmy 73°F. I bet most of us would trade a lot to have that 2017 weather back right about now.
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Practical steps for the next 24 hours
Since the temperature isn't going to rebound significantly until at least the weekend, there are a few things you should probably handle before the sun goes down and the mercury drops even further.
- Drip the faucets: If you live in an older house or have pipes on an exterior wall, let a tiny trickle of water run tonight. A burst pipe is the last thing you want to deal with on a Friday morning.
- Bring in the pets: If it's too cold for you, it's way too cold for them. Even "outdoor" dogs need a warm spot in the garage or laundry room tonight.
- Check your tires: Cold air makes the pressure in your tires drop. If that annoying little light pops up on your dashboard, it’s probably just the cold, but you’ll want to top them off.
- Layer up properly: Don't just wear one big jacket. Wear a base layer to wick moisture, a middle layer to trap heat, and an outer layer to block that biting northwest wind.
The cold is going to stick around for a bit, and while there’s some talk of more flurries possible this weekend, for now, the main story is just staying warm in the face of this January freeze.
Keep an eye on the local NWS Peachtree City updates, as they've already issued hazardous weather outlooks for the surrounding counties like Cobb and Gwinnett due to the wind chill. Stay safe, stay caffeinated, and maybe keep an extra blanket in the car just in case.