Dense fog is creating hazardous driving conditions across Chattooga County and much of Northwest Georgia early Thursday morning, but sunshine and mild temperatures are expected later today before cooler weather arrives for the weekend.

The National Weather Service has issued a Dense Fog Advisory until 10 AM Thursday, with visibility dropping to a quarter-mile or less in some locations. Motorists are urged to slow down, use low-beam headlights and allow extra distance between vehicles.

Once the fog clears, Thursday will be mostly sunny with a high near 75 degrees. Tonight will be partly cloudy with temperatures falling to around 49.

Friday will bring more sunshine and a high near 72 degrees, but a reinforcing cold front will usher in cooler, drier air heading into the weekend.

Saturday is expected to be sunny with a high near 64 degrees. North winds of 5 to 10 miles per hour could gust as high as 20 miles per hour. Temperatures will drop to around 37 degrees Saturday night.

Sunday will remain sunny with a high near 66 degrees, followed by another chilly night with lows around 37.

The dry weather pattern is expected to continue into next week, with highs near 68 Monday and 69 Tuesday.

The National Weather Service says temperatures will return to more seasonal levels this weekend, with chilly overnight conditions raising the possibility of frost in portions of North Georgia.

Looking ahead to Veterans Day on Wednesday, the forecast currently calls for mostly sunny skies and a high near 69 degrees.

Forecasters say rain chances should remain low through much of the coming week, although longer-range weather models show some uncertainty about the potential for another weather system developing next week.