Atlanta Hourly Weather Forecast: What to Expect, Hour by Hour

Checking the Atlanta weather forecast hourly is almost a daily ritual in the city. Between hot, humid afternoons, surprise pop-up thunderstorms, and cooler mornings, Atlanta’s weather can change quickly within a single day.

This guide explains how Atlanta’s hourly weather typically behaves through the day, how it shifts by season, and how to use hourly forecasts smartly whether you live in the city, commute from the suburbs, or are visiting for a few days.

How Atlanta’s Hourly Weather Usually Changes in a Day

While the exact numbers change by season, Atlanta follows a fairly predictable daily weather rhythm:

Early Morning (5 a.m. – 9 a.m.)

• Temperatures are usually at their lowest of the day.
• In cooler months, this is when you feel the chill most.
• In warmer months, it’s often the most comfortable time to exercise outdoors.
• Fog or low clouds can form, especially near wooded or lower-lying areas and along the Chattahoochee River.
• Summer mornings may still feel humid, even if the air is relatively cooler.

Late Morning to Midday (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.)

• Temperatures rise steadily, often by several degrees each hour.
• Skies may start mostly clear, then clouds build toward noon, especially in the summer.
• Outdoor activities are usually more comfortable earlier in this window.

Afternoon (12 p.m. – 5 p.m.)

• This is often the hottest part of the day, especially between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
• Urban areas like Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead can feel hotter because of pavement and buildings (the “urban heat island” effect).
• In spring and summer, the hourly forecast may show:
  • Increasing chances of showers or thunderstorms
  • Rapid changes from sun to heavy rain
• Storms can develop quickly; what looks clear at noon can turn stormy by mid-afternoon.

Evening (5 p.m. – 9 p.m.)

• Temperatures begin to cool, but in summer it can still feel warm and muggy.
• If thunderstorms formed earlier, this is when they often weaken or move out.
• Good time to check the hourly forecast if you’re heading to:
  • Truist Park for a Braves game
  • Mercedes-Benz Stadium or State Farm Arena
  • Piedmont Park or the BeltLine for an evening walk

Night (9 p.m. – 5 a.m.)

• Temperatures gradually fall overnight.
• Summer nights may stay warm and humid; winter nights can turn cold and breezy.
• Hourly forecasts at night help you plan:
  • If you need a jacket for late-night outings
  • If you should cover plants before a freeze
  • If overnight rain or storms could affect early-morning commutes

Typical Hourly Weather by Season in Atlanta

Hourly forecasts make the most sense when you know how Atlanta’s seasons behave day-to-day.

Spring (March – May)

• Mornings: Cool to mild; can feel chilly in March.
• Afternoons: Mild to warm; temperature can climb quickly late morning.
• Common hourly pattern:
  • Increasing temps from sunrise through mid-afternoon
  • Periodic showers and thunderstorms, especially late in the day
• Spring is also a common time for strong storms, sometimes with gusty winds or hail. Hour-by-hour radar is especially useful then.

What to watch in the hourly forecast:

• Rapid drops in pressure or spikes in rain chances in the afternoon
• Thunderstorm windows around 2 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Temperatures falling faster on clear evenings

Summer (June – August)

Summer in Atlanta is dominated by heat and humidity, plus frequent afternoon storms.

• Mornings (5 a.m. – 9 a.m.): Warm, often in the 70s; humid but more comfortable than afternoon.
• Midday to late afternoon (11 a.m. – 5 p.m.):
  • Highest temperatures of the day, often accompanied by high humidity
  • Hourly heat index can be notably higher than the actual temperature
• Afternoons: Very common to see:
  • “Isolated” or “scattered” thunderstorms in the forecast
  • Quick but intense downpours and lightning

Summer hourly forecast tips:

• Look for “feels like” (heat index) by the hour if you work outdoors or plan exercise.
• Pay close attention to lightning and thunderstorm icons between about 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• Even if chances look low in the morning, they can climb sharply by early afternoon.

Fall (September – November)

Fall in Atlanta often brings milder temperatures and more comfortable humidity.

• September: Still feels summer-like; warm afternoons, possible storms.
• October: Cool mornings, pleasant afternoons; generally more stable weather.
• November: Cooler mornings and evenings; afternoons can still be mild.

Typical hourly patterns:

• Larger temperature swings between sunrise and mid-afternoon, especially later in fall.
• Fewer pop-up storms compared to summer, but cold fronts can bring bands of rain and windy periods.

What to use the hourly forecast for in fall:

• Planning layers: cool at 7 a.m., much warmer at 3 p.m.
• Watching timing of fronts and rain bands that may affect commutes, flights out of Hartsfield-Jackson, or outdoor events.

Winter (December – February)

Atlanta winters are generally mild, but can include cold snaps, freezing nights, and occasional wintry precipitation.

• Mornings: Often the coldest time; below-freezing temps are more likely around sunrise.
• Afternoons: Usually the warmest point of the day, though still cool to cold.
• Evenings and nights: Temperatures drop again; chilly or cold after sunset.

Hourly winter forecasting matters for:

• Identifying when temperatures will be at or below freezing (e.g., 3 a.m. vs. 7 a.m.)
• Spotting rain vs. freezing rain or sleet if there’s a winter system:
  • Even a small difference in hourly temperature can change what falls.
• Planning around windy hours, which affect wind chill and driving conditions.

Key Elements of an Atlanta Hourly Weather Forecast

When you pull up an hourly forecast in Atlanta, you’ll usually see several important details. Understanding each helps you decide what to wear, how to travel, and when to be cautious.

1. Temperature and “Feels Like” Temperature

• Temperature (°F): The actual air temperature.
• Feels like / Heat index / Wind chill:
  • In summer, humidity makes it feel hotter.
  • In winter, wind can make it feel colder than the number suggests.
• Atlanta’s humidity can create a big difference between actual and “feels like,” especially in July and August.

2. Chance of Precipitation (PoP)

• Shown as a percentage each hour.
• In Atlanta, “30–50%” during summer afternoons usually signals scattered storms that can hit some neighborhoods hard while others stay dry.
• Higher percentages (60–100%) often mean more widespread rain or organized systems, especially with fronts.

3. Type and Intensity of Precipitation

Hourly forecasts may specify:

• Light rain, showers, heavy rain
• Thunderstorms or strong thunderstorms
• In winter:
  • Rain, freezing rain, sleet, or snow, depending on temperature

In Atlanta, winter events are often marginal, so tracking hourly temperatures and precipitation type is important, especially if you’re driving early in the morning or late at night.

4. Cloud Cover and Sky Conditions

Descriptions like:

• Sunny / Mostly sunny
• Partly cloudy
• Mostly cloudy / Overcast

In the city, increased cloud cover in the afternoon can be a hint that showers or thunderstorms may form, especially on muggy days.

5. Wind Speed and Direction

• Important for:
  • Outdoor events at venues like Piedmont Park, Grant Park, or rooftop locations.
  • Chilly days, when wind amplifies the cold.
• Gusty winds sometimes accompany passing cold fronts or thunderstorms.

6. Humidity and Dew Point

• Humidity: Percentage of moisture in the air.
• Dew point: A more stable measure of how muggy the air feels.
  • Higher dew points = stickier air.
• In Atlanta, summer dew points are often high, so even lower temperatures can feel oppressive.

Example: How to Read Today’s Hourly Forecast in Atlanta

Here’s a simplified sample of how a typical warm-season day might look on an hourly forecast:

This kind of hourly breakdown helps you decide:

• When to schedule outdoor work or workouts
• Whether you need rain gear for afternoon errands
• If an evening event might be impacted by thunderstorms

Using Hourly Forecasts for Daily Life in Atlanta

Commuting and Driving

Hourly forecasts are especially helpful for:

• Morning commute: Checking for fog, rain, or overnight storms affecting roads like I‑75/85, I‑20, I‑285, and GA‑400.
• Evening commute: Timing around rush-hour storms, which can cause sudden slowdowns and ponding on roads.

If you’re commuting from suburbs like Marietta, Decatur, Sandy Springs, or Stone Mountain, conditions can vary slightly from downtown, so it’s useful to check the hourly forecast for your specific area.

Flights in and Out of Hartsfield-Jackson

Flying through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)?

• Thunderstorms, low clouds, and heavy rain can delay flights, especially in late afternoon and evening.
• Checking the hourly forecast and radar before you leave for the airport can help you plan:
  • When to leave home
  • Whether to expect delays or turbulence on departure/arrival

Outdoor Events, Sports, and Recreation

Whether you’re:

• Going to a Braves game at Truist Park
• Attending a concert at Chastain Park Amphitheatre
• Spending the day at Zoo Atlanta or Atlanta Botanical Garden
• Running or biking on the Atlanta BeltLine

The hourly forecast helps you:

• Pack appropriately (hat, sunscreen, rain jacket, light layers)
• Choose the least hot or least stormy window
• Decide if you should shift start times earlier or later to avoid extreme heat or storms

Safety Tips Based on Atlanta’s Hourly Weather

Hourly forecasts aren’t just about comfort; they can also guide safer choices.

Thunderstorms ⛈️

• Strong storms can form quickly on muggy afternoons.
• If an hourly forecast shows a spike in storm chances in a particular window:
  • Avoid outdoor activities on open fields, high ridges, or near tall isolated trees.
  • Have a plan to move indoors if thunder is heard.
• Lightning can strike even when rain seems distant, so use the hour-by-hour lightning and radar details when available.

Extreme Heat 🥵

During heat waves:

• Focus on the hottest hours (usually mid- to late afternoon) in the hourly forecast.
• Plan outdoor work, exercise, or long walks in the early morning or later in the evening.
• Note the “feels like” temperature and humidity, not just the actual reading.

Cold and Frozen Conditions

On rare but impactful winter weather days:

• Check hourly forecasts carefully around freezing (32°F):
  • A forecast might show rain one hour and freezing rain the next.
• Early mornings can be especially risky for slick bridges and overpasses.
• If you live on higher ground or in outlying areas (such as north of I‑285), conditions can be slightly colder than in-town Atlanta.

Where Atlanta Residents Can Get Reliable Hourly Forecasts & Alerts

For official, locally focused weather information in the Atlanta area:

• National Weather Service – Atlanta / Peachtree City Office
  4 Falcon Drive
  Peachtree City, GA 30269
  Phone: (770) 486-1133
  This office issues official forecasts, watches, warnings, and advisories for metro Atlanta and surrounding counties.

You can also enable wireless emergency alerts on your phone so that severe weather warnings (like tornado warnings or flash flood warnings) reach you automatically, regardless of which app you use.

Local TV and radio stations around Atlanta often break down the hour-by-hour impact on commutes, events, and neighborhoods, which can add context to the raw hourly data.

Quick Checklist: How to Use the Hourly Atlanta Forecast Each Day

• Morning (before 8 a.m.)

  • Check temps for the next 12–24 hours.
  • Note any rain or storm windows overlapping with commute or school drop-off.
  • Look at the afternoon heat index in warm months.

• Midday

  • Re-check for updated storm chances, especially in spring and summer.
  • Adjust outdoor plans if the afternoon looks more active than it did earlier.

• Late Afternoon / Evening

  • Review hourly temps for the night and next morning:
    • Will it be cold at sunrise?
    • Any overnight storms or heavy rain?
  • Prepare clothing, gear, and travel plans for the next day’s key hours.

By paying attention to the hour-by-hour changes—not just the daily high and low—you can move through Atlanta’s changing weather with fewer surprises, whether you’re heading to work downtown, catching a flight, or enjoying one of the city’s many outdoor spaces.