Weather Advisory Issued In GA Ahead Of Frigid Temperatures, Fire Risk

Georgians will see a variety of weather patterns this week, starting with fire risks and below-freezing temperatures that prompted a cold weather advisory Monday.

Then, rainfall will arrive amid a warming trend before a cold front forces more cool air into the state, according to the National Weather Service.

All of this occurs before what is forecast to be a warm and dry Christmas week.

Fire, Rain And Temperature Swings

After frigid temperatures ushered in the work week Monday in Georgia, the nightfall low is expected to be 27 degrees in metro Atlanta — although the NWS reported temperatures could drop lower into the teens.

The afternoon high was 42 degrees in north and central Georgia, which includes the Atlanta metro.

The cold weather does not hinder fire risks caused by a relative humidity level of less than 25 percent, according to the NWS. Northeast winds will transform into southwest winds at 3-8 mph.

High fire conditions pose a risk in Bartow, Cherokee, Forsyth, Hall, Paulding, Cobb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Barrow, Clarke, Oconee, Douglas, DeKalb, Rockdale and several other counties into Monday evening.

"Please refer to your local burn permitting authorities whether you may burn outdoors. If you do burn outside, use extreme caution," weather officials said in an alert.

This comes while a cold weather advisory remains in effect for the aforementioned counties. Winds may feel colder as low temperatures are forecast to slip into the teens Monday in Georgia, putting plants, pipes, outdoor pets and some residents at risk.

What comes next? Well, the NWS predicted temperatures could creep into the 50s as they continue to warm through Thursday.

Widespread showers and thunder are possible due to a cold front Thursday night into Friday morning.

The weather is not expected to be severe, but it will attract cooler temperatures to the north and central Georgia regions, returning them to the 50s, the NWS reported.

What About Christmas Day?

Contrary to what this week holds, a high-pressure system in the South is expected to bring warmth in late December.

The NWS predicted a 70-80 percent chance of of above-normal temperatures from Dec. 22-28. During this time, high temperatures could climb to the 60s or 70s, making way for a warm Christmas Day.

The annual holiday, traditionally celebrated on Dec. 25, is also expected to be dry.

In its updated forecast, The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicted Georgia will not have a White Christmas this year.

• RELATED: Will GA See A White Christmas? Here’s What The Odds Say

Here's the National Weather Service's Monday afternoon forecast for metro Atlanta:

This Afternoon: Sunny, with a high near 42. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 27. Calm wind.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 54. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Calm wind.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Thursday: Showers likely, mainly after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Thursday Night: Showers, mainly before 1 a.m. Low around 39. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 53.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 59.

Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly clear, with a low around 45.

Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 67.