Atlanta Weather: What to Expect Today, This Week, and All Year

If you’re asking “What’s the weather for Atlanta?”, the honest answer is: it depends on when you’re here. Atlanta’s weather changes fast, but it follows some clear patterns that residents and visitors learn to plan around.

Below is a practical guide to Atlanta’s typical weather, how it shifts by season, and what you should keep in mind for daily life, commuting, or travel.

How Atlanta’s Weather Generally Feels

Atlanta has a humid subtropical climate. In everyday terms, that means:

• Hot, humid summers
• Mild, often short winters
• Plenty of rain spread through the year
• Occasional severe thunderstorms, especially in spring and summer

You won’t find desert-style dry heat here. Expect humidity to play a big role in how hot or cold it really feels.

Typical Temperatures in Atlanta

Here’s a simple overview of average temperature ranges you can expect through the year in Atlanta, Georgia:

Actual day-to-day weather can shift above or below these ranges, but this table gives a realistic baseline for Atlanta.

Seasonal Weather in Atlanta

Winter in Atlanta (roughly December–February)

What it’s like:

• Mild overall, but with occasional cold mornings
• Highs often land in the 50s or low 60s, with lows in the 30s and 40s
• Snow is rare, but not impossible; the metro area is more likely to see cold rain, sleet, or brief flurries

What locals watch for:

• Black ice on bridges and overpasses during cold, wet nights or early mornings
• Occasional freezing rain events that can impact roads, power lines, and air travel

Tips if you live in or visit Atlanta in winter:

• Keep a jacket or light coat ready; heavier coats are mainly for colder snaps.
• If a winter storm is forecast, expect school and business schedule changes, especially if ice is involved.
• If you’re flying through Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, allow extra time during winter weather alerts, as de-icing delays are common.

Spring in Atlanta (roughly March–May)

What it’s like:

• Often one of the most pleasant times of year
• Daytime highs typically in the 60s and 70s, warming toward the 80s by late spring
• Frequent rain and thunderstorms, especially in April and May

Pollen and air quality:

• Atlanta is known for very high spring pollen levels, especially from trees.
• Cars, sidewalks, and outdoor furniture can be covered with a yellow-green film during peak pollen days.

Storms and safety:

• Strong thunderstorms can bring heavy rain, lightning, gusty winds, and occasionally hail or isolated tornadoes in the broader region.
• Power outages do occur during severe weather, particularly in tree-filled neighborhoods.

Spring tips:

• Always have a compact umbrella or rain jacket handy.
• Keep an eye on severe thunderstorm watches and warnings, especially in afternoons and evenings.
• If you spend time outdoors—at Piedmont Park, the BeltLine, or local festivals—plan for sudden showers or storms.

Summer in Atlanta (roughly June–August, often into September)

What it’s like:

• Hot and humid is the norm.
• Highs frequently reach the upper 80s to 90s, with some days climbing higher.
• Humidity makes it feel hotter than the thermometer reading.
• Afternoon thunderstorms are common, often brief but intense.

Heat and humidity:

• “Feels like” temperatures (heat index) can be several degrees higher than the actual air temperature.
• Warm nights with lows in the upper 60s to 70s mean limited overnight cooling.

Storm patterns:

• Typical summer days may start sunny and calm, then develop pop-up storms in the afternoon.
• Storms can include heavy rainfall, frequent lightning, and short bursts of strong wind.

Summer tips for Atlanta:

• ☀️ Plan outdoor activities (walks on the Atlanta BeltLine, zoo visits, hikes at Stone Mountain) for early morning or later evening when possible.
• Drink water consistently; the combination of heat and humidity can be draining.
• If you’re attending outdoor sports or concerts, be prepared for sudden weather delays due to lightning.
• Know where your nearest indoor shelter is if a storm pops up while you’re outside.

Fall in Atlanta (roughly September–November)

What it’s like:

• Often a favorite season for locals.
• Temperatures gradually slide from 80s in early fall toward 60s and 70s by November.
• Humidity drops, and evenings become more comfortable.

Weather features:

• Cooler mornings and evenings with pleasant, mild afternoons.
• Still some rain, but generally fewer thunderstorms than in spring and summer.
• Fall foliage makes neighborhoods, parks, and drives around North Georgia especially scenic.

Fall tips:

• Ideal weather for outdoor events, tailgates, festivals, and walking tours.
• A light jacket or sweater is usually enough for mornings and nights.
• Even when days feel warm, nights can cool off quickly—helpful to remember if you’re out late downtown or in Midtown.

Rain, Storms, and Flooding in Atlanta

Rain patterns

• Rain is fairly evenly spread throughout the year, with a slight boost in spring and summer.
• Showers can be brief but heavy, especially during warm months.

Thunderstorms

In Atlanta, thunderstorms are a regular part of life:

• Most frequent in late spring and summer
• Often develop in the afternoon or early evening
• Can bring:
  • Heavy downpours
  • Lightning
  • Gusty winds
  • Localized street flooding

Urban flooding concerns

Some low-lying roadways and underpasses in the city can flood quickly during intense rain:

• Avoid driving through standing water on streets—depth and current can be hard to judge.
• Check local traffic and weather sources before commuting during active storms.

Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness

Atlanta is not in the very highest-risk tornado zone, but severe weather does occur, including:

• Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds
• Occasional tornadoes in the metro region
• Downed trees and power lines, especially in older, tree-heavy neighborhoods

When severe weather threatens, you may see alerts such as:

• Severe Thunderstorm Watch/Warning
• Tornado Watch/Warning
• Flood Watch/Warning

If you live in or are staying in Atlanta, it’s helpful to know your indoor safe space (an interior room on the lowest level of a building, away from windows) in case of serious warnings.

Snow and Ice: How Often Does Atlanta See Winter Storms?

Snow is uncommon in Atlanta, and heavy snow is rarer still. Many winters go by with little or no snow accumulation inside the city itself.

However, the main concern is often ice, not deep snow:

• Freezing rain or sleet can quickly create slick roads.
• Bridges and overpasses can freeze first, even if regular roads remain just wet.
• Because icy events are infrequent, the city can slow down significantly when they occur, impacting:
  • School schedules
  • Office hours
  • Flights and public transportation

If you’re in Atlanta during a forecasted winter storm:

• Avoid unnecessary driving, especially at night or early morning.
• Monitor official city and county announcements for closures and advisories.

Microclimates Across Metro Atlanta

Even within metro Atlanta, conditions can vary slightly:

• Downtown & Midtown: Often a bit warmer due to building density and concrete (urban heat island effect).
• Suburbs and outer areas (e.g., North Fulton, Cobb, Gwinnett, South DeKalb): Can be a few degrees cooler, especially at night.
• Higher elevation areas to the north may see slightly more wintry weather on marginal days compared to the city center.

These differences are usually small, but during borderline winter events, they can determine who gets cold rain versus a bit of snow or ice.

Air Quality and Weather in Atlanta

Hot, stagnant summer days can sometimes coincide with reduced air quality:

• Ozone and particulate matter may increase when airflow is limited.
• People who are sensitive to air quality often follow daily air quality forecasts, especially in the summer and early fall.

Rain and front passages typically help clear the air, leading to fresher conditions afterward.

Practical Weather Planning for Atlanta

Here are some simple, weather-smart habits for living in or visiting Atlanta:

• Keep layers handy: A light jacket, umbrella, and sunglasses can all be useful on the same day.
• Expect fast changes: A sunny afternoon can quickly turn into a thunderstorm, especially in warm months.
• Plan around heat: In summer, schedule outdoor exercise, walking tours, and park visits for early morning or later evening.
• Store emergency basics in your car: especially if you commute—water, a small flashlight, and a basic first-aid kit can be useful during storms or traffic delays.
• Know indoor alternatives: If a storm interrupts plans at Piedmont Park or an outdoor festival, indoor options like museums, shopping centers, or indoor food halls can offer cover until storms pass.

Who Oversees Weather and Emergency Information in Atlanta?

For official weather and hazard information affecting the Atlanta area, residents typically look to:

• National Weather Service (NWS) – Peachtree City Office
  4 Falcon Drive
  Peachtree City, GA 30269
  Main phone (public line commonly listed): (770) 486-1133

Local city and county emergency management agencies also distribute alerts and preparedness guidance, especially during:

• Severe thunderstorms
• Tornado watches and warnings
• Winter storms
• Flooding events

Many Atlanta residents also sign up for their county’s emergency alert systems to receive text or phone notifications for urgent weather-related issues.

In summary, when you ask “What’s the weather for Atlanta?”, you’re asking about a city with mild winters, hot humid summers, and frequent but manageable rain and storms. Knowing the seasonal patterns and how quickly conditions can change will help you plan your day, your wardrobe, and your activities more confidently in Atlanta, Georgia.