A blast of colder air is moving into Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia today, bringing freezing temperatures this weekend and the potential for the coldest weather of the season so far.

The National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Warning from 1 AM until 9 AM Saturday, followed by a Freeze Watch from late Saturday night through Sunday morning. Forecasters say temperatures could fall as low as 29 degrees early Saturday, with even colder conditions expected Sunday morning.

Today will be sunny but noticeably cooler, with a high near 52 degrees. Northwest winds of 5 to 15 mph could gust as high as 20 mph. Temperatures will fall to around 31 degrees tonight, with widespread frost developing toward daybreak.

Saturday will bring sunshine and a high near 53 degrees, but the coldest weather is expected Saturday night into Sunday morning. The local forecast calls for a low around 29 degrees Saturday night, while the National Weather Service warns that some locations across North Georgia could experience temperatures as low as 25 degrees or colder, particularly in higher elevations.

Forecasters say a hard freeze, with temperatures at or below 28 degrees, is possible across much of North Georgia. These conditions could damage or kill sensitive plants and crops and potentially damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.

Residents are encouraged to protect tender plants, disconnect outdoor hoses and insulate exposed water pipes. Allowing vulnerable faucets to drip slowly may also help prevent freezing.

Sunday will be sunny with a high near 56 degrees after widespread morning frost. Another cold night is expected Sunday night, with temperatures falling to around 31 degrees.

The cold, dry weather pattern will continue into early next week. Monday’s high will be near 57 degrees, followed by 62 on Tuesday. A gradual warming trend will bring highs into the middle and upper 60s Wednesday and Thursday, with Thursday’s high expected near 69 degrees.

The National Weather Service says precipitation chances will remain very low through the weekend and into early next week.

Today
Areas of frost before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 52. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tonight
Widespread frost, mainly after 4am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 31. North wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Saturday
Widespread frost before 9am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 53. North wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Saturday Night
Widespread frost after midnight. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 29. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday
Widespread frost before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 56. Northeast wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 31.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 32.
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 62.
Tuesday Night
Clear, with a low around 32.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 66.
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 36.
Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.