Sunday Weather in Atlanta: What to Expect and How to Plan Your Day

Looking up “Sunday Atlanta weather” is almost a weekend tradition in the city. Whether you’re heading to Piedmont Park, catching a game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, or flying in and out of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Sunday’s forecast can make or break your plans.

This guide walks through what Atlanta weather is typically like on Sundays in different seasons, how local patterns work, and how to plan your day around changing conditions.

How Atlanta’s Sunday Weather Usually Feels

Atlanta’s Sunday weather isn’t special just because it’s Sunday—the same patterns that shape weekdays apply. But because more people are out at brunch, church, festivals, and games, small weather shifts feel bigger.

In general, Atlanta’s weather is:

• Mild to warm much of the year
• Humid late spring through early fall
• Storm-prone in the afternoons, especially in summer
• Variable in winter, with swings between chilly rain and pleasantly cool sunshine

Here’s a quick seasonal snapshot of what a “typical” Sunday feels like in Atlanta:

These are broad patterns; you still need the specific forecast for the upcoming Sunday, but knowing the seasonal rhythm helps you plan.

Sunday Weather by Season in Atlanta

Winter Sundays (December–February)

What it usually feels like

• Temperatures: Often in the 40s–50s°F during the day, dropping into the 30s°F at night
• Precipitation: More often cold rain than snow
• Sky conditions: A mix of sunny, crisp days and gray, overcast ones

Atlanta does see occasional freezing mornings, but extended deep freezes and snow are unusual. When winter systems pass through on a Sunday, expect cold rain, gusty winds, and noticeable wind chill, especially downtown and in open areas like The Battery Atlanta.

How to plan your Sunday

• For church, brunch, or a stroll on the BeltLine, bring layers and a waterproof jacket if rain is in the forecast.
• If you’re headed to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, remember it’s a dome stadium—conditions outside may be cold and wet, but inside is controlled.
• If a wintry mix is predicted, roads and overpasses around Downtown Connector (I-75/85) and I-285 can become slick even if totals are small.

Spring Sundays (March–May)

What it usually feels like

• Temperatures: Often 60s to 70s°F, sometimes cooler early in the season
• Conditions: Generally comfortable, with an increasing chance of showers and thunderstorms
• Pollen: Tree and grass pollen can be very noticeable in March and April

This is one of the best times for Sunday outdoor plans in Atlanta. You’ll see packed patios in Midtown and Inman Park, runners along the Eastside BeltLine Trail, and families at Atlanta Botanical Garden.

Weather patterns to watch

• A cool morning can warm quickly into a mild afternoon.
• Showers or thunderstorms are more likely later in the day when warm, moist air builds up.
• Wind can be breezy ahead of fronts, especially on higher spots like Buckhead or Downtown high-rises.

How to use Sunday well

• For Sunday festivals or markets (like those that pop up around Grant Park or Krog Street), a light layer in the morning and short sleeves for the afternoon often works.
• If storms are in the forecast, plan indoor backups—museums along Pemberton Place, like the Georgia Aquarium, are reliable options.

Summer Sundays (June–August)

What it usually feels like

• Temperatures: Commonly in the high 80s to 90s°F, with nights in the 70s°F
• Humidity: Often high, making it feel hotter than the actual temperature
• Thunderstorms: Frequent afternoon and early evening storms

This is the classic hot, humid Atlanta feel. By Sunday afternoon, it’s typical to see towering clouds and hear thunder, especially south and east of the city. Many Atlanta residents plan Sunday activities early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid heat and storms.

Key Sunday weather patterns

• Morning: Often sunny or partly cloudy, with rising humidity.
• Afternoon: High chance of pop-up thunderstorms, especially between about 3–7 p.m.
• Storm behavior: They can bring heavy downpours, frequent lightning, and brief gusty winds, then pass quickly.

Practical planning tips for summer Sundays

• 🌞 Morning outdoor time:
  • Jogging on the Atlanta BeltLine
  • Visiting Piedmont Park or Freedom Park
  • Early visits to Zoo Atlanta
• 🌧️ Afternoon backup plans:
  • Indoor attractions like World of Coca-Cola or National Center for Civil and Human Rights
  • Malls such as Lenox Square or Perimeter Mall

When storms are mentioned in the Sunday forecast, it doesn’t always mean a washout—often, you get a 1–2 hour storm window, then clearing skies.

Fall Sundays (September–November)

What it usually feels like

• Temperatures: Typically 60s–70s°F, cooler in late October and November
• Humidity:Lower and more comfortable than summer
• Skies: Many clear, sunny Sundays, especially mid-fall

Fall is often considered the best season for Sunday activities in Atlanta: tailgates, festivals, and neighborhood events all benefit from more stable weather.

Typical fall Sunday patterns

• September: Can still feel like late summer, with warm afternoons and occasional storms.
• October: Often mild and dry, excellent for outdoor dining and events in Cabbagetown, Old Fourth Ward, and West Midtown.
• November: Cooler, with a higher chance of chilly mornings and crisp afternoons.

Best Sunday uses of the season

• Attend Falcons games, Atlanta United matches, or college football watch parties with comfortable tailgating weather.
• Enjoy scenic walks or runs at Stone Mountain Park or along the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area with less heat stress.

Understanding Atlanta’s Sunday Storm and Rain Risks

Thunderstorms on Sundays

Thunderstorms in Atlanta are most common from late spring through summer and often follow predictable patterns.

On a typical warm-season Sunday:

• Morning: Quiet, partly sunny.
• Early afternoon: Clouds build; air feels more heavy and humid.
• Mid to late afternoon:Scattered storms may pop up, often short but intense.
• Evening: Activity usually tapers off, though some storms can linger.

If your Sunday in Atlanta includes:

• Outdoor concerts, festivals, or sports – check if the venue has lightning or severe weather procedures.
• Outdoor dining – ask if there’s covered seating or a quick indoor option if storms roll in.

Whenever thunder is in the forecast, having a secure indoor option lined up near where you’re spending your day is wise.

Heat, Humidity, and Air Quality on Summer Sundays

Heat and humidity

During summer Sundays, “feels like” temperatures can run a few degrees higher than the actual air temperature due to humidity. Concrete-heavy areas like Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead can feel even warmer because of the urban heat island effect.

If you’re planning to:

• Spend midday hours at outdoor patios,
• Walk long distances between neighborhoods, or
• Attend outdoor sports or festivals,

build in shade breaks, water, and lighter clothing.

Air quality considerations

On some hot, stagnant summer Sundays, air quality alerts may be issued for the Atlanta area. These are more likely when:

• It’s hot and sunny for several days in a row.
• Winds are light, so pollutants don’t disperse easily.

Local TV stations and weather apps typically highlight these conditions in their Sunday outlooks, so if the air quality is a concern for you, check the details before planning extensive outdoor activity.

How Sunday Weather Affects Getting Around Atlanta

Driving conditions

Sunday traffic is usually lighter than weekday rush hour, but weather can still create challenges:

• Heavy rain: Can cause ponding on sections of I-20, I-75/85, I-285, and surface streets with poor drainage.
• Foggy mornings: Occasionally affect commuter routes and access roads near forested or low-lying areas.
• Storm debris: After strong Saturday night storms, Sunday morning drives sometimes involve downed branches or localized debris.

If a strong system is forecast into Sunday, consider leaving extra travel time for church services, airport runs, or visiting popular attractions.

Air travel through Hartsfield–Jackson

If you’re flying in or out of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport on a Sunday:

• Thunderstorms and heavy rain can create delays, especially in the afternoon and evening.
• Low clouds or fog on winter or early spring Sundays can also slow arrivals and departures.

Checking the Sunday forecast specifically for the airport area can give you a more realistic picture of possible delays, especially during stormy seasons.

Where to Get Reliable Sunday Weather Information in Atlanta

While this guide covers typical patterns, you’ll still want a current forecast for the specific Sunday you’re planning around. For Atlanta-specific weather, people commonly rely on:

• Local TV weather teams (based in Atlanta) for detailed neighborhood-level forecasts and storm tracking.
• Weather apps that allow you to set locations like Downtown Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Decatur, or College Park for more localized conditions.
• National Weather Service (NWS) – Atlanta office, which issues official forecasts, advisories, and severe weather alerts for the metro area.

The NWS office serving Atlanta is located in Peachtree City:

• National Weather Service – Atlanta/Peachtree City Office
  4 Falcon Drive
  Peachtree City, GA 30269
  Phone: (770) 486-1133 (general office line)

For most residents and visitors, a reliable weather app plus a quick look at a local TV forecast is enough to plan a Sunday confidently.

Quick Sunday-Planning Checklist for Atlanta

Use this as a fast guide before your weekend starts:

1. Know the season:

   • Winter: Plan for cold rain or cool sun.
   • Spring: Expect mild with a chance of showers or storms.
   • Summer: Assume heat, humidity, and afternoon storms.
   • Fall: Often comfortable and dry, especially mid-season.

2. Check Sunday’s forecast specifically:

   • Look at morning, afternoon, and evening timing.
   • Pay attention to rain chances and storm language (isolated, scattered, numerous).

3. Match your plans to the pattern:

   • Outdoor brunch, parks, or BeltLine walks? Favor morning in summer.
   • Sports or festivals? Have a covered or indoor backup.
   • Driving or flying? Add time if storms or heavy rain are expected.

4. Have a backup plan:

   • Identify a nearby indoor spot—museum, mall, café, or covered venue—near where you’ll be spending your Sunday.

With a basic understanding of how Atlanta’s Sunday weather usually behaves and a quick check of the latest forecast, you can plan a Sunday that works with the weather instead of being surprised by it.