Residents across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia will continue to feel the grip of a dry and chilly weather pattern as high pressure and steady northwest to west winds keep moisture confined to the Gulf of Mexico. High-level cirrus clouds drifting overhead from passing disturbances aloft will come and go, but sunshine breaking through later today should allow afternoon temperatures to rise into the lower 40s to lower 50s across lower elevations, while mountain areas remain colder in the 30s. Another increase in cloud cover is expected Thursday morning, though temperatures should remain similar or slightly warmer than today.

Dry air will be noticeable at times, with relative humidity values briefly approaching the 25 percent mark this afternoon and more areas potentially reaching that threshold Thursday afternoon. Even so, fire danger is expected to remain limited, as recent rainfall has left vegetation moist in many locations and winds are not expected to be strong enough to cause rapid fire spread. Forecasters do not expect Fire Danger Statements to be issued at this time.

The cold pattern will persist into the weekend and early next week, with overnight lows dropping into the teens and 20s through Monday morning across much of Northwest Georgia. Daytime highs will generally stay in the 40s through Friday before turning colder over the weekend, when many communities could struggle to get out of the 20s and 30s. Attention then turns to a developing Gulf system late Friday into Saturday, which could bring the region its next chance for precipitation. Light rain is expected to develop Friday afternoon, transitioning to snow Friday night into Saturday morning as colder air remains firmly in place.

Current projections suggest moisture will be limited, meaning any snowfall would be light with little to no accumulation expected in most of Chattooga County. Eastern areas of the state may see slightly higher amounts, but even there accumulations are expected to remain minimal before the system exits Saturday afternoon.