'Extremely Dangerous' Fire Weather Conditions In GA Forecast

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for dangerous fire conditions, as below-freezing temperatures persist Tuesday and rain is likely to soak Georgia later in the week.

The red flag warning is in effect from noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday in north and central Georgia, including metro Atlanta and the Chattahoochee and Oconee national forests.

By early afternoon, the NWS said relative humidity levels will sink below 25 percent, and wind gusts could reach 25 mph.

"With elevated winds and low relative humidities, extremely dangerous fire weather conditions are possible. … Please refer to the local burn permitting authorities on whether you may burn outdoors. If you do burn outside, use extreme caution," the NWS said in the alert.

Metro Atlanta residents are faced with frigid cold as high temperatures in the upper 30s and 40s are expected, while overnight temperatures will drop significantly to the 20s. Blairsville could even feel temperatures in the teens.

Temperatures will start to warm slightly on Wednesday, eventually reaching a high of 60 degrees by Saturday.

Though the Peach State will warm up, it could also become wetter as showers are set to arrive after 1 p.m. Friday in metro Atlanta. Friday night rain chances are 90 percent.

This pattern will continue through Saturday, and thunderstorms are possible, according to the NWS.

Anyone celebrating New Year's 2026 may be relieved that sunny skies are forecast for Thursday; and though it will be cold on New Year's Eve night, skies will be clear.

Here is the National Weather Service's Tuesday morning detailed forecast for metro Atlanta:

Today: Sunny, with a high near 42. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 27. Northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 50. West wind 5-10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34. West wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

New Year's Day: Sunny, with a high near 56. West wind 5-10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.

Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59.

Friday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 50. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.

Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1 p.m., then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 57.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.