Freeze Warning Issued For GA Counties Ahead Of Showers

GEORGIA — After periods of warmth, north Georgia and parts of central Georgia will undergo a freeze warning at midnight Tuesday due to sub-freezing temperatures in the mid-20s to low 30s.

The warning is set to expire at 10 a.m. Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service's Peachtree City office.

It was issued for Cobb, Douglas, Fulton, Bartow, Cherokee, Paulding, Floyd, DeKalb, Carroll, Gwinnett, Barrow, Rockdale, Fayette, Oconee, Henry, Clayton, Muscogee and several other counties.

"Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. Gusty winds, especially during the evening, will make it feel even colder," weather officials said in the alert.

Residents are encouraged to wrap, drain or slowly drip pipes to avoid freezing and bursting of the pipes. In-ground sprinklers should be drained, and above-ground pipes should be covered.

Before temperatures heat up, they are forecast to be in the high 50s in the beginning of the week in metro Atlanta. Columbus could feel hotter.

After 70-degree temperatures Wednesday and Thursday, the temperature could plummet and return to the 50s by Friday in the metro.

That is when the showers are forecast to start. The rainfall is supposed to pour into metro Atlanta after 3 a.m. and should continue through the night. For Columbus, the showers are expected arrive after 2 a.m. Friday.

But residents should not fret - the rain is expected to make way for a sunny weekend with highs in the upper 60s in metro Atlanta, the weather service predicted. The Columbus area could warmer temperatures in the low 70s.

At 10:35 a.m. Friday, the National Weather Service predicted the following detailed forecast for Columbus:

Today: Sunny, with a high near 65. Northwest wind 10-15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Tonight Clear, with a low around 33. North wind 10-15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 62. West wind 5-10 mph.

Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 37. West wind 5-10 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 72. West wind 5-10 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 75.

Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52.

Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66.

Friday Night: A 10 percent chance of showers before 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 73.