Residents across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia are experiencing a notable transition in weather as the powerful cold front responsible for widespread rain earlier this week finally pulls away, leaving behind a brisk, breezy, and significantly cooler airmass.

While conditions are rapidly improving, forecasters emphasize that the effects of the departing system—specifically a reinforcing dip in the jet stream—will keep temperatures well below seasonal averages today and tonight.

Clearing Skies, Persistent Winds

The day marks the definitive end of the recent wet weather. Any lingering moisture will create only a slight chance of isolated, light showers through the early afternoon before skies begin their shift from mostly cloudy to partly cloudy.

The main weather story for the region today is the wind. Strong west winds are blowing 10 to 15 mph, featuring gusts that could reach up to 25 mph, particularly across higher terrain. These persistent winds are crucial, acting as a natural broom to push remaining cloud cover out of the region by nightfall.

Temperatures will struggle to rise, held down by the cool air mass ushered in by the jet stream dip. Highs are expected to hover in the mid-50s.

Overnight Chill Expected

As the evening progresses, skies will continue to clear, transitioning to partly cloudy overnight. The strong west winds will begin to decrease and shift slightly to the northwest.

With the heavy clouds gone, the cool air mass will settle, paving the way for a sharp drop in temperatures. Lows tonight across Chattooga County are forecast to sink into the upper 30s, necessitating warm attire for early Friday morning commuters.

Looking Ahead to the Weekend

The forecast trajectory is overwhelmingly positive for the weekend, though it remains notably cool.

Friday – Halloween – is expected to be sunny and bright, offering the best conditions of the week, with high temperatures creeping up closer to the 60-degree mark, settling near 61 degrees. Overnight Friday is expected to be mostly clear, with lows dropping back down around 36 degrees.

The weekend forecast remains dry:

Today
A slight chance of showers between 8am and 9am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 61. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 36. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday
Partly sunny, with a high near 63. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.