Forecasters say returning moisture and above-normal temperatures will help trigger isolated to scattered storms this afternoon, especially during the warmer part of the day. While not every community will see rainfall, a few of these storms could become strong, with locally gusty winds possible.

The greater concern arrives late tonight into Monday morning, when a line of severe thunderstorms is expected to sweep east across the region ahead of a strong cold front. That line could move into Northwest Georgia after 1 to 2 a.m. Monday and continue pushing east through the morning.

For Chattooga County and nearby communities, the main threat will be damaging straight-line winds, but forecasters warn that a few tornadoes are also possible along the leading edge of the storm line.

Meteorologists are also watching a conditional tornado threat if isolated storms develop ahead of the main line. Should that happen, a storm or two could strengthen quickly in a more favorable environment for rotation. Even so, the greatest overall threat for most of the area remains damaging winds overnight into Monday morning.

Once the storms move out, conditions will change quickly. The cold front will sweep through Monday, bringing much colder air, gusty northwest winds, and sharply falling temperatures. A few brief flurries or light rain and snow showers cannot be ruled out behind the front, but no accumulation or travel impacts are expected.

Then attention turns to the cold.

A Freeze Watch has been issued for Monday night into Tuesday morning, and forecasters say sub-freezing temperatures are expected across the region both Monday night and Tuesday night. Lows in parts of North Georgia are expected to fall into the mid to upper 20s, with wind chills making it feel even colder.

That could create a serious risk for gardens, fruit trees, blooming plants, and early spring crops across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia.

Cold and dry weather is expected to hold through midweek before a gradual warming trend returns later in the week, with temperatures climbing back into the 70s from Thursday into Saturday.

Residents are urged to stay weather aware tonight, have multiple ways to receive warnings, and take steps now to protect sensitive plants before the freeze arrives.