Residents of Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia are urged to exercise extreme caution this weekend, as continued dry autumn conditions have prompted a Fire Danger Statement for the region. Forecasters predict that the combination of dry fuels and low humidity will maintain dangerous wildfire conditions through Saturday.

The Fire Danger Statement is in effect for Friday afternoon and early evening, primarily impacting Chattooga County and surrounding areas, due to relative humidity (RH) levels dropping below 25%. Meteorological projections indicate that similar hazardous conditions will be possible again on Saturday.

This prolonged dry spell is being sustained by a reinforcing shot of cool, continental air flowing into North Georgia. A weak cold front pushed through the area this morning, but with very little low-level moisture available, no precipitation accompanied the front’s passing. High pressure moving in from the Ohio Valley region will settle over the mid-Appalachians, ensuring that dry conditions persist across the forecast area through the end of the day Saturday.

Temperatures will remain pleasant and cool over the weekend, masking the underlying threat of rapid fire spread.

Weekend Forecast Details:

Friday: Mostly sunny with highs in the upper 60s. North winds will be light. Tonight, temperatures will fall to the lower 40s under partly cloudy skies.
Saturday: Mostly sunny conditions continue. High temperatures are expected to reach around 70 degrees. Lows Saturday night will be in the upper 40s. East winds will be light (5 to 10 mph).
Relief Approaches Sunday: Showers Loom

While the immediate outlook is dry and dangerous, relief is finally expected to arrive later in the weekend. Rain chances will increase significantly starting late Sunday, extending through the middle of next week as a new system begins to move across the region.

On Sunday, cloud cover will increase, bringing a slight chance of showers in the morning, followed by a 40 percent chance of rain in the afternoon. Temperatures will begin to fall, dropping into the upper 50s Sunday afternoon, accompanied by gusty southeast winds.

The highest probability of rainfall is expected Sunday night into Monday:

Sunday Night: Cloudy with showers likely, and a slight chance of thunderstorms developing after midnight. The chance of rain increases to 60 percent. Lows will settle in the lower 50s.
Monday: Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of continued showers. Highs are forecast to be in the upper 50s.
Tuesday: The chance of showers remains at 40 percent, though skies are expected to become partly sunny later in the day, with highs in the lower 60s.