A weak cold front pushed through north Georgia Saturday night, bringing a brief reprieve from the heat wave that has gripped the region for the past week.
Sunday’s forecast calls for highs in the upper 80s — still warm, but noticeably cooler than the upper 90s and heat index values above 105 that defined much of the past week. Scattered thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon, but the Storm Prediction Center has most of north Georgia in a marginal risk category.
“Drier air is moving in behind the front, which will knock down humidity a bit and make it feel much more comfortable,” said NWS Atlanta forecaster Andrew Dessler. “It’s not a true cold front, but it will feel like one after what we’ve been through.”
The relief will be short-lived. By Tuesday, highs are forecast to climb back into the mid-90s, with heat index values approaching 105 by midweek.
The weather service is also tracking a tropical disturbance in the eastern Gulf of Mexico that could bring additional moisture to the region late next week. Forecasters said it is too early to know whether the system will affect north Georgia, but it is worth watching.
For the rest of the holiday weekend, residents are urged to take advantage of the cooler temperatures to catch up on outdoor activities — though the weather service reminds everyone that any storm that does develop could produce frequent lightning and brief heavy rain.
