Residents across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia will see a warming trend today through Wednesday, but dry air and low humidity are creating an increased risk for wildfires.

A shift away from cold air advection is underway as high pressure settles into the Gulf, bringing southwest winds into the region this afternoon. High temperatures today are expected to reach the 50s. However, it will take time for moisture to return, leading to very low relative humidity values between 20 and 28 percent.

The driest conditions are expected between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., prompting a Fire Danger Statement for north and central Georgia. With dry fuels already in place, officials urge residents to avoid outdoor burning and exercise extreme caution with anything that could spark a fire.

Moisture from the Gulf will begin filtering back into the area tonight and into Wednesday morning. Low cloud cover is possible across Northwest Georgia on Wednesday, but warmer temperatures will continue, with highs climbing into the 60s area-wide.

Changes arrive Wednesday night as a cold front slows near the Tennessee/Kentucky line. Scattered light showers could enter far north Georgia late Wednesday night and spread southward into Thursday morning.

By Thursday, a developing low-pressure system will push the front deeper into Georgia, bringing widespread showers across north and central Georgia through Thursday and Thursday night. Rainfall totals are expected to range from 1 to 1.5 inches, with the heaviest amounts likely in the higher elevations of far north Georgia.

A few isolated to scattered thunderstorms are possible, mainly in central Georgia on Friday, though instability is expected to remain limited. All precipitation will remain liquid, as temperatures stay mild.

By early Saturday, the front is expected to move out of central Georgia, with only isolated showers lingering in east-central portions of the state.

Dry conditions are forecast to return for the weekend as high pressure builds into the region. Morning lows will settle into the 40s both Saturday and Sunday. Afternoon highs will rise into the upper 60s Saturday and the low to mid 70s Sunday, bringing a pleasant end to the week for Chattooga County and surrounding Northwest Georgia communities.

Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Southwest wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night
A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly after 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 51. South wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 66. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Thursday Night
Showers likely, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 43.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 71.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 45.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
Sunday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Monday
A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 68.