Temperatures in our are in the teens this morning as high pressure builds in from the Northwest, creating a dry and chilly start to the day. Residents can expect cold conditions to persist through the end of the workweek and into the weekend, but relief is on the horizon. As the day progresses, temperatures are set to rebound, with highs reaching the 40s.

Wind conditions are also improving, with gusty northwestern winds currently diminishing to 10 mph or less. As the high-pressure system settles in, these breezy conditions will continue to ease throughout the day. However, the dry air associated with this high pressure is raising concerns about increased fire danger, particularly as relative humidity levels across parts of Northwest Georgia are expected to drop to or below 25% this afternoon, creating very dry conditions.

We will experience another drop in temperatures Saturday morning, dipping back into the 20s. Fortunately, a warm-up is anticipated for Saturday with highs ranging from the 50s to nearly 60 degrees.

Looking ahead, late Saturday night into Sunday, a mid-level closed low pressure system will move through the Texas Panhandle and into Arkansas and Mississippi. This is expected to generate a surface low pressure system over the Gulf Coast of Louisiana by Sunday night. Rain chances will remain south of our forecast area for the most part. As the Gulf low exits to the east, our area will transition to a northwesterly flow pattern, which will persist through Wednesday.

A cold air damming wedge is expected to develop over the northeast parts of the state Tuesday into Wednesday, albeit for a short period. In the latter half of the long-term forecast, a trough situated over the central plains is projected to shift southeastward into our region. This movement will bring a surface cold front through the area by Thursday morning, potentially marking another shift in conditions and rain is anticipated by the end of next week.