20-Degree Temps To Freeze GA: Latest Forecast

"Hotlanta" will be among several areas to see temperatures drop to freezing or below as the first frost or freeze of the season moves into Georgia next week, forecasters say.

The blast of cold air is expected to chill the East Coast, potentially bringing snow to the Midwest, AccuWeather reported. But, in the eastern region, wintry temperatures may very well be rampant even though it's technically still fall.

"Temperatures will feel more like mid-December or even Christmastime in many places by next week," AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said. “This will be the first taste of wintry weather for millions from this weekend to early next week, with a dramatic temperature drop and blustery winds. The surge of chilly air will also briefly reach parts of the Southeast."

The National Weather Service on Thursday predicted Georgia's first freeze, or frost, to arrive by early to mid-next week in the north and central regions. This includes metro Atlanta and surrounding areas, and comes after a relatively warm week in the Atlanta area.

Georgia commuters are warned that Tuesday may be the coldest morning, with predicted low temperatures in the mid-20s to low 30s, the NWS reported.

On Tuesday night, temperatures could dive to a low of 37 degrees in metro Atlanta, the NWS reported.

Weather officials encourage residents to take heed to any possible frost or freeze warnings.

Before residents grab their winter jackets, they may want to reach for their raincoats as AccuWeather reported the Southeast could face locally severe thunderstorms on Sunday.

This would depend "on how quickly the advancing cold air meets the buildup of warmth during the day," the private weather company said.

"There may be a secondary storm that forms along the leading edge of the cold air in the East," Pastelok said.

AccuWeather noted if this happens, a second round of rain could form during the weekend into Monday.

"Such a storm could produce a swath of steady snow, extending from south to north, over the Appalachians. Regardless, a strong surge of cold air is expected to push southward and expand eastward, spilling over the Appalachians from later this weekend to early next week," AccuWeather reported.

The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency offers tips for combating winter weather.

Weather officials urged residents to wrap pipes and protect animals and outdoor plants.

Here is the National Weather Service's Thursday forecast for metro Atlanta:

Today: Sunny, with a high near 73. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Southeast wind 5-10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.

Friday Night: A chance of showers before 10 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 44.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 27.

Veterans Day: Sunny, with a high near 52.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 63.