Residents across Chattooga County can expect a taste of fall this weekend, with cooler temperatures, lower humidity and plenty of sunshine before warmer weather begins returning next week.

The National Weather Service says a cooler air mass has settled across North Georgia and will remain in place through the weekend. After clouds dominated much of the area Thursday, skies will begin clearing Friday as winds shift to the northwest and the weather pattern responsible for the cooler conditions retreats.

Friday will be partly sunny in Chattooga County with a high near 78 degrees. Winds will be calm early before becoming northerly at around 5 mph during the afternoon. Friday night will be mostly clear and noticeably cool, with a low around 54.

Saturday should provide some of the best weather of the weekend. Skies will be sunny with a high near 80 degrees and light winds. Saturday night will be partly cloudy with temperatures falling to around 55.

Sunday will bring more mostly sunny skies and a high near 80. Sunday night will be mostly clear with a low around 53 degrees.

The National Weather Service says some locations in the higher elevations of North Georgia could fall into the upper 40s Saturday morning, making this one of the coolest stretches of weather the region has experienced so far this season.

Dry weather will continue as the new workweek begins, but temperatures will gradually climb. Monday will be sunny with a high near 83, followed by a low around 54 Monday night. Tuesday will be sunny and warmer with a high near 87.

Moisture begins returning later in the week. There is a 20 percent chance of showers Wednesday with a high near 88, followed by a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms Thursday as temperatures remain in the upper 80s.

For the weekend, however, rain chances are essentially nonexistent, making for favorable conditions for football, festivals, outdoor recreation and other weekend activities across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia.