A potent combination of unseasonably warm, dry air is set to grip Northwest Georgia this week, posing significant fire risks and threatening to shatter decades-old temperature records, according to the National Weather Service’s early morning forecast.

Residents are urged to exercise extreme caution as critical fire weather conditions are expected this afternoon. A Fire Danger Statement has been issued for central and western Georgia, where relative humidity levels are forecast to plummet into the low 20s. These parched conditions, coupled with dry vegetation, mean any spark could rapidly ignite a dangerous wildfire.

“Dry air still lingers across much of the southeast,” the NWS stated in its Short Term Forecast issued at 4:20 AM EST. “Relative humidities are expected to drop into the low 20s again this afternoon.”

The immediate fire weather threat is expected to lessen slightly by Wednesday as southerly winds return. However, this shift will usher in a significant and prolonged warming trend. Above-normal temperatures are predicted to persist into next week, with a 70% chance that several daily record highs will be broken between Wednesday and Friday.

Forecasters predict highs will soar into the mid-70s to low-80s across the region, a staggering 15 to 20 degrees above the average for mid-November.

“We’ll actually be on record watch for daytime highs these days,” the NWS report noted, indicating that all four major climate reporting sites in the area are forecast to either break, tie, or closely approach historical records.

While a weak weather system may bring some light showers to northern Georgia Tuesday night, and a more widespread chance of rain arrives on Saturday, meteorologists warn it will do little to alleviate the ongoing drought.

“QPF [Quantitative Precipitation Forecast] values are up to 0.5 inches through the weekend, so not a drought buster by any means,” the Long Term Forecast explains. “North Georgia is likely to see the higher amounts whereas central Georgia will be unlikely to see much if any rainfall at this time unfortunately.”

The anticipated rainfall over the weekend, associated with a low-pressure system moving east, is not expected to provide meaningful improvement to soil moisture or reservoir levels. The forecast calls for a continued, watchful eye on the weather pattern into next week, with only low chances of more significant, drought-easing precipitation.

Key Takeaways for Residents:

• Today: Highs in low 70s. CRITICAL FIRE DANGER due to very low humidity (20s%). Avoid all outdoor burning.
• Wed-Fri: Dangerous heatwave. Highs in upper 70s to low 80s. High probability of breaking daily record highs.
• Rainfall: Isolated showers north GA Tuesday night. Better chance of rain region-wide Saturday, but amounts will be too light to improve drought conditions.

Officials advise residents to stay hydrated, check on vulnerable neighbors during the heat, and remain vigilant against any potential fire starts. All outdoor burning is strongly discouraged.