Residents of Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia can expect a stretch of sunny skies and unseasonably warm temperatures this week, with afternoon highs climbing into the upper 80s before a strong cold front brings much cooler weather for the weekend.

According to the National Weather Service, high pressure building across the Southeast will bring dry conditions and increasingly warm temperatures through Friday. Afternoon temperatures could run 10 to 20 degrees above normal for mid-October, with some locations across Georgia potentially approaching record highs.

For Columbus Day today, skies will be sunny with a high near 84 degrees. Northwest winds will be light, around 5 mph during the afternoon. Tonight will be clear with a low around 58 degrees.

Tuesday will bring more sunshine and a high near 86, followed by clear skies and a low around 58 Tuesday night.

Temperatures will continue climbing Wednesday and Thursday, with highs near 87 on Wednesday and 88 on Thursday. Overnight lows will remain unusually mild, generally in the upper 50s and lower 60s.

Friday will remain sunny with a high near 84 degrees, but a significant change in the weather pattern is expected as a strong cold front approaches the region.

The front is expected to move through Northwest Georgia by Saturday morning, bringing much cooler temperatures. Saturday’s high is forecast to reach only 65 degrees, nearly 20 degrees cooler than Friday. Saturday night temperatures could fall to around 42 degrees, making it one of the chilliest nights in recent weeks.

Sunday will remain sunny and cool, with a high near 68 degrees.

Forecasters say there is some uncertainty regarding the timing of the cold front and whether it will produce any rainfall. While the current forecast remains mostly dry, the National Weather Service indicates that rain chances across North Georgia could increase as the front approaches.

For now, residents can expect plenty of sunshine and summerlike warmth through the workweek, followed by a noticeable return to fall weather over the weekend.