Atlanta Weather in November: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Planning for Atlanta weather in November means getting ready for one of the most comfortable months of the year. Fall is in full swing, the worst of the summer heat is gone, and winter cold hasn’t fully set in yet. Whether you live in Atlanta, you’re visiting, or you’re trying to time an event, knowing how November typically feels can help you pack, dress, and plan your days.

November Weather Overview in Atlanta

November in Atlanta is generally cool, mild, and changeable. You can expect:

• Cool mornings, often in the 40s °F
• Mild afternoons, usually in the 60s °F
• A gradual cooling trend from early to late month
• Periodic rainy fronts, but also many dry, clear days

Think “light jacket weather” rather than heavy winter coat season.

Typical Temperature Range

While exact numbers can vary year to year, November in Atlanta usually feels like this:

Key takeaway: You’ll experience cool-to-mild days with chilly nights, and a clear trend toward cooler conditions as the month goes on.

Rain, Storms, and Humidity

How Rainy Is November in Atlanta?

November is often a moderately wet month, but not typically a washout. You can expect:

• Occasional rainy days, often tied to passing cold fronts
• More cloudy, gray days than summer, but still plenty of sun
• A few days with steady, light-to-moderate rain, especially with frontal systems

Thunderstorms are less common than in the warm season, but they can still occur when strong fronts move through.

Humidity Levels

You’ll likely notice that:

• Humidity is lower than summer, making the air feel crisp rather than sticky
• On damp or rainy days, it can still feel cool and clammy, especially in the mornings
• Indoor heating starting up across the city can make indoor air feel dry, especially toward the end of the month

Wind and Cold Fronts

During November, Atlanta starts to feel more frequent cold fronts:

• Breezy days are common right after a front passes
• Temperatures can drop sharply overnight after a front, especially later in the month
• Wind chills can make a 45–50°F morning feel colder, especially downtown with taller buildings funneling wind

If you’re walking through Downtown, Midtown, or around Georgia State University, plan for windier conditions around tall buildings on breezy days.

Daylight and Sunset Times

November brings shorter days across Atlanta:

• The time change (end of daylight saving time) usually occurs in early November
• After the time change, sunset falls in the late afternoon, so it gets dark early for commutes and evening plans

This affects:

• Evening activities in places like Atlantic Station, Ponce City Market, and the BeltLine
• Driving conditions, with more commuters in dusk or dark
• Outdoor events, which often shift to earlier time slots or use more lighting

What to Wear in Atlanta in November

Packing or dressing for November in Atlanta is all about layers.

Everyday Clothing Tips

Consider:

• Light to medium-weight jacket or fleece
• Long-sleeve shirts or light sweaters
• Jeans or long pants most days
• Closed-toe shoes or sneakers; sandals become less practical as mornings cool down

For early November, you might still have a few days where a t-shirt is enough in the afternoon, especially if you’re walking around Piedmont Park or doing outdoor activities. By late November, you’ll appreciate:

• A heavier sweater or insulated jacket on many days
• Scarf or hat for early-morning outings, especially if there’s a breeze

What Locals Often Do

Residents often:

• Start the day in a jacket over a light layer
• Remove layers by lunchtime if it warms up
• Put the jacket back on after sunset, especially if dining outdoors at spots along the Atlanta BeltLine or in Inman Park

Outdoor Activities: How November Weather Affects Plans

November is a popular time for outdoor activities in Atlanta because the heat and bugs of summer have faded.

Great Month for Parks, Trails, and Festivals

You’ll often find comfortable conditions for:

• Walking or biking the Atlanta BeltLine
• Strolling through Piedmont Park, Grant Park, or Freedom Park
• Visiting the Atlanta Botanical Garden to see fall color and early holiday lights
• Day trips to Stone Mountain Park or driving out to North Georgia for late fall foliage

You may want:

• A light jacket for mornings and evenings
• A small umbrella or foldable rain jacket in case of passing showers

Weather and Thanksgiving Travel

If you’re traveling in or out of Atlanta around Thanksgiving:

• Expect heavier traffic on I‑75, I‑85, I‑20, and the Downtown Connector
• Rainy systems can slow traffic more than usual, especially around Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and major interchanges
• Chilly, damp conditions are common in late November, so having warm layers is helpful if you’re waiting outdoors or using MARTA

How November Weather Affects Daily Life in Atlanta

Commuting and Driving

• Morning commutes can be cool and occasionally foggy, especially in low-lying or wooded areas
• After the time change, many people drive home after dark, so rainy evenings can feel more challenging
• Wet leaves on the road in tree-lined neighborhoods like Virginia-Highland, Druid Hills, and parts of Buckhead can make surfaces slick

Heating and Indoor Comfort

By mid to late November:

• Many homes and apartments switch on heating for the first time since spring
• Indoor air can feel drier, which some people notice on their skin, lips, or sinuses
• Residents often use humidifiers or simple steps like bowls of water near heat sources to add moisture to indoor air

For renters in Atlanta, it’s a good time to:

• Check that heating systems in apartments or condos work before a real cold snap
• Contact property management or a landlord if radiators, central heat, or gas furnaces are not turning on as expected

How to Check the Day-to-Day Atlanta November Forecast

Because November weather can swing from mild to chilly, it’s helpful to check short-term forecasts regularly.

Reliable Local Forecast Sources

Without naming specific apps or sites, you can:

• Look at TV meteorologists from local Atlanta stations for neighborhood-level forecasts
• Use weather apps on your phone that show hourly temperature, wind, and rain chances
• Check the National Weather Service forecast for Atlanta, which gives detailed day-by-day and hour-by-hour information

The National Weather Service Atlanta office is based here:

• National Weather Service – Peachtree City / Atlanta Forecast Office
  4 Falcon Drive, Peachtree City, GA 30269
  Main phone (public line): (770) 486-0028

This office provides official forecasts, watches, and warnings for the Atlanta area.

Severe or Unusual Weather in November

Most November days in Atlanta are calm, but a few weather-related issues can still pop up.

Thunderstorms and Strong Fronts

While not as stormy as spring or summer:

• Strong cold fronts can bring gusty winds and brief thunderstorms
• Isolated severe weather is possible some years, mainly early in the month
• You may hear about wind advisories or dense fog advisories on occasion

Staying aware of local alerts can help you plan outdoor activities or travel around these events.

Early Season Cold Snaps

From time to time:

• A strong cold front can bring a sudden drop in temperature, sometimes into the 30s °F overnight, even in early or mid-November
• Light frost is possible in some parts of metro Atlanta, especially outlying suburbs north and east of the city core

Snow is very rare in Atlanta in November, but very cold mornings can happen toward the end of the month.

November Weather and Atlanta Neighborhoods

Conditions are broadly similar across the metro area, but you may notice small differences:

• Intown areas like Downtown, Midtown, and Old Fourth Ward can feel slightly warmer at night due to buildings and pavement (urban heat island effect).
• Northern suburbs (e.g., Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta) and higher elevations can be a bit cooler, especially overnight.
• Areas near lakes or larger wooded spaces may feel cooler and damper early in the day.

If you’re visiting and staying closer to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport on the south side, your conditions will often track closely with official Atlanta readings used in most weather forecasts.

Practical Tips for Atlanta in November

Here are some quick, practical suggestions for getting through November weather in Atlanta comfortably:

• 🧥 Plan for layers: T-shirt or light long-sleeve + sweater + jacket usually covers most situations.
• ☔ Keep a compact umbrella handy: Showers can pop up with fronts.
• 🌅 Account for early sunsets: Schedule outdoor sightseeing or errands earlier in the day.
• 🚗 Check the forecast before road trips: Rain and early darkness can slow traffic leaving or entering Atlanta.
• 🍁 Enjoy fall color: Parks and tree-lined neighborhoods often show good fall foliage into early and mid-November, depending on the year.
• 🔧 Test your heat: If you live in Atlanta, turn on your heating system early in the month to make sure everything works before real cold hits.

By thinking in terms of cool mornings, mild afternoons, and changeable conditions, you can plan November days in Atlanta with confidence—whether you’re commuting, hosting guests, sightseeing, or just trying to decide what to wear when you step outside.