Residents across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia will enjoy unseasonably warm temperatures today ahead of an approaching cold front that will bring widespread light rain to the region later this evening through Wednesday.

After a cool start this morning with lows in the upper 20s to low 30s, temperatures are expected to climb quickly today. Highs will reach the mid to upper 50s across Northwest Georgia, including Chattooga County, with some areas farther south pushing into the low 60s. Increasing southwest winds will usher in warmer, more humid air, along with growing cloud cover by this afternoon.

Light rain is expected to begin moving into far Northwest Georgia by mid to late afternoon, spreading slowly across the region during the evening and overnight hours. Rain will continue through Wednesday before tapering off as the cold front pushes through. Rainfall totals are expected to range from one-tenth to one-quarter of an inch, with higher amounts possible in the north Georgia mountains.

Despite the rain, temperatures will stay mild tonight and Wednesday, generally holding in the mid 40s to mid 50s. Conditions will change quickly late Wednesday as the front exits and a much colder, drier air mass moves in.

By Wednesday night into Thursday morning, below-freezing temperatures are expected across Chattooga County and much of Northwest Georgia. Gusty northwest winds will make it feel even colder, with wind chill values dropping into the teens and low 20s.

Looking ahead, dry weather is expected from late week through the weekend, with daytime highs returning to the 50s and overnight lows hovering near freezing — a clear sign that winter is slowly loosening its grip on the region.