Northwest Georgia is facing its coldest temperatures of the fall season this weekend, with the National Weather Service warning that the first hard freeze of the season is becoming increasingly likely Saturday night into Sunday morning.

A strong cold front moving through the region Thursday is bringing much colder air into Georgia. By Friday morning, temperatures across Northwest Georgia are expected to fall into the lower to middle 30s, with some locations approaching freezing.

Friday afternoon will remain chilly despite mostly sunny skies. High temperatures in the Rome and Chattooga County area are expected to reach the lower to middle 50s, approximately 8 to 10 degrees below normal for mid-November.

The National Weather Service says an Arctic high-pressure system moving southward from Canada will reinforce the cold air through the weekend.

Temperatures Friday night into Saturday morning are expected to approach or fall below freezing in many locations. However, the greatest concern is Saturday night into Sunday morning, when temperatures across much of North Georgia could drop into the middle and upper 20s.

A hard freeze can damage exposed water pipes, kill sensitive vegetation and create dangerous conditions for animals left outdoors without adequate shelter.

Residents are encouraged to disconnect outdoor water hoses, protect exposed plumbing, bring sensitive plants indoors and make sure outdoor pets have warm, dry shelter protected from the wind. Pets should be brought indoors whenever possible during freezing conditions.

Despite the cold temperatures, the weekend forecast is expected to remain dry. Saturday and Sunday will feature mostly sunny skies, with afternoon highs generally in the lower to middle 50s.

Temperatures should begin moderating early next week, although overnight conditions will remain chilly.

The National Weather Service had not issued a Freeze Warning as of its early Thursday morning forecast discussion, but forecasters indicated that freezing conditions are increasingly likely this weekend.