Residents across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia are preparing for a surge of unseasonably hot weather Friday, with temperatures expected to climb near record highs before a cool-down this weekend.

Forecasters say afternoon highs will reach the mid to upper 80s, putting temperatures a striking 15 to 20 degrees above what is typical for late March. Morning hours may begin with patchy fog and low cloud cover, but skies are expected to clear by midday, allowing strong sunshine to rapidly warm the region.

The combination of clear skies, dry air, and high pressure will create ideal conditions for rapid heating, making Friday one of the warmest days seen so far this year across the region.

However, the early taste of summer will be short-lived.

A weakening cold front is expected to move into Northwest Georgia late Friday into early Saturday. While rainfall chances remain low—generally only around 10 to 20 percent—the front will bring a noticeable shift in temperatures and conditions. Highs on Saturday are expected to struggle to get out of the 60s, with a brisk northwest breeze making it feel even cooler. Overnight lows into Sunday morning will drop into the low to mid 40s across much of the area.

Sunday will remain on the cooler side, with highs again in the mid to upper 60s as easterly winds reinforce the cooler air mass.

Despite the cool-down, a growing concern across Chattooga County and surrounding areas will be fire weather conditions. The combination of dry air, breezy winds, and a lack of rainfall will create an elevated risk for outdoor burning to quickly get out of control. Residents are urged to use caution with any outdoor flames, especially through the weekend.

Looking ahead, the dry pattern continues with no significant rainfall expected over the next seven days. This prolonged stretch of dry weather is expected to worsen ongoing drought conditions across Northwest Georgia.

By early next week, temperatures will begin climbing once again. Highs are forecast to return to the mid and upper 70s by Monday, followed by another push into the 80s by Tuesday and Wednesday as a strong ridge of high pressure builds over the southeastern United States.

The result will be a continued cycle of warm, dry weather—keeping fire danger and drought concerns at the forefront for the region.