After several days of summerlike heat, Northwest Georgia will finally get its first real taste of fall today, but the change in temperatures could come with showers and thunderstorms.

The National Weather Service says a much cooler air mass will begin spreading into the region today and will remain in place through the weekend. A strong area of high pressure to the northeast is pushing cooler air southward into Georgia.

For Chattooga County, there is a 60% chance of rain today. Showers are possible during the morning and early afternoon, with thunderstorms becoming possible later in the day. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to become more likely after 5 PM.

The high temperature will be around 85 degrees, considerably cooler than the temperatures near or above 90 experienced over the past several days.

Forecasters say a few strong to severe thunderstorms could develop across far North Georgia this afternoon. Strong wind gusts will be the main concern with any stronger storms. Locally heavy rainfall and frequent lightning will also be possible.

Rainfall amounts generally between one-tenth and one-quarter of an inch are expected, although thunderstorms could produce higher amounts.

Showers and thunderstorms remain likely tonight, mainly before 2 AM. Patchy fog could develop between 10 PM and midnight. The overnight low will fall to around 63 degrees.

The biggest change will be noticeable Thursday. Rain chances drop dramatically as cooler and drier air takes control. Thursday will be partly sunny with a high of only 79, followed by a low around 58 Thursday night.

The weather should remain dry and comfortable through the weekend. Friday will be mostly sunny with a high near 81, Saturday near 82, and Sunday near 83. Morning lows Friday and Saturday night could fall to around 54 degrees.

A gradual warmup begins early next week, with highs reaching the mid-80s by Tuesday, but forecasters expect the relatively dry pattern to continue.

The National Weather Service says the cooler air arriving this week will provide North and Central Georgia with its first significant taste of fall weather following the recent stretch of late-September heat.

Wednesday
A chance of showers before 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 5pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday Night
Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2am, then a slight chance of showers between 2am and 3am. Patchy fog between 10pm and midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday
Partly sunny, with a high near 79. East wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 54.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 55.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 56.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.