Residents in Chattooga County and across Northwest Georgia can expect a stretch of unseasonably warm weather heading into the weekend and early next week, with temperatures running 15 to more than 20 degrees above normal for early March.

Forecasters say temperatures will climb into the mid-70s to lower 80s today, with many areas reaching the low to mid-80s by Friday and through the weekend. Overnight lows are expected to stay unusually warm as well, hovering in the low 60s, creating a summer-like weather pattern across the region.

Along with the warmth, scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop beginning Friday afternoon and continuing at times through the middle of next week. The storms are expected to be spotty and mainly during the afternoon and evening hours, especially across Northwest Georgia and areas near the Tennessee Valley.

While severe weather is not currently expected, a few storms could bring brief heavy rain, lightning, and gusty winds. The warm and humid air moving into the region will help fuel these storms as weak weather disturbances pass through the area.

Cloud cover and periodic rainfall could keep temperatures slightly cooler Sunday and Monday, especially in areas north of the I-85 corridor, but highs will still remain well above normal.

Looking ahead, meteorologists are watching a potentially stronger weather system expected late next week, which could bring a cold front through Georgia around Wednesday or Thursday. More details on that system will become clearer in the coming days.