Atlanta, Georgia Weather Right Now: What to Expect Today
If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and wondering what the weather is like right now, here’s how to quickly understand what’s happening outside, what it usually feels like this time of year, and how to plan the rest of your day in the city.
Because conditions change hour by hour, always use this as a guide to interpret current weather, not as a live feed of exact numbers.
How to Check Atlanta’s Weather Right Now
For the most accurate, up-to-the-minute conditions in Atlanta:
- Use a live weather app or the built‑in weather feature on your phone.
- Enter “Atlanta, GA” or use location services if you’re in the city.
- Look at:
- Temperature
- Feels-like temperature (accounts for humidity or wind)
- Conditions (sunny, cloudy, storms, fog)
- Rain chances and timing
- Wind speed and direction
- Air quality index (AQI) if you’re sensitive to air quality or have breathing issues
For authoritative local alerts, the National Weather Service Atlanta office provides warnings and advisories for the metro area:
- National Weather Service – Atlanta Forecast Office
Peachtree City Weather Forecast Office
4 Falcon Drive, Peachtree City, GA 30269
Phone (public line): 770‑486‑0002
You can also enable emergency and weather alerts in your smartphone settings to get push notifications for severe weather affecting Atlanta.
Typical “Right Now” Weather Patterns in Atlanta by Season
Atlanta weather can feel very different depending on the time of year. Even if you’re checking conditions live, it helps to know what’s normal so you can tell when something is unusual.
Winter in Atlanta (December–February)
- Typical feel right now: Cool to chilly, often in the 40s–50s°F during the day, colder in the early morning and at night.
- What you might see:
- Sunny, cool afternoons
- Cloudy, damp days
- Occasional brief cold snaps with freezing temperatures
- Snow and ice:
Rare, but when it happens, even small amounts can disrupt traffic on I‑285, GA‑400, and major city streets. Ice is more common than deep snow.
What to wear if you step outside right now (winter):
- Light to medium jacket or coat
- Layers you can remove indoors (sweater + T‑shirt)
- Gloves/hat when temperatures drop near or below freezing
Spring in Atlanta (March–May)
- Typical feel right now: Mild to warm, usually 50s–70s°F, but can swing cool or suddenly warm.
- What you might see:
- Frequent showers or thunderstorms, especially afternoons
- Rising humidity
- Very noticeable pollen from trees and plants
Spring is when Atlanta’s famous yellow-green pollen film shows up on cars, sidewalks, and patios.
Quick tips for spring weather in Atlanta:
- Carry a small umbrella or rain jacket
- Expect slick roads during quick pop‑up storms
- If you’re sensitive to pollen, check your app’s pollen index along with the weather
Summer in Atlanta (June–August)
- Typical feel right now:Hot and humid. Afternoons commonly reach the upper 80s to 90s°F, and it can feel hotter because of humidity.
- What you might see:
- Strong sun and muggy air
- Afternoon thunderstorms that form quickly, with heavy rain and lightning
- Steam rising from streets after a downpour
These pop‑up storms are a classic Atlanta pattern: it may be sunny in Midtown while Buckhead or Decatur is dealing with a downpour.
If you’re heading out in Atlanta summer weather right now:
- Wear light, breathable clothing
- Bring water, especially if walking around Downtown, the BeltLine, or Piedmont Park
- Plan for the possibility of a sudden storm between about 2–8 p.m. 🌧️
Fall in Atlanta (September–November)
- Typical feel right now: More comfortable, with cooler mornings and evenings and mild afternoons.
- What you might see:
- Less frequent thunderstorms than summer
- Pleasant, sunny days ideal for outdoor plans
- Some days that still feel like late summer early in the season
Fall is one of the most comfortable times to be outside in Atlanta, especially for walking neighborhoods like Virginia‑Highland, Inman Park, and Old Fourth Ward.
Key Weather Factors to Check in Atlanta Right Now
Even before you open an app, knowing which numbers matter most in Atlanta can help you plan your next move.
1. Temperature vs. “Feels Like” in Atlanta
Because humidity is often high, the feels-like temperature can be very different from the actual reading:
- In summer, 90°F can feel closer to 100°F or more.
- In winter, a cold wind around downtown high-rises can make a mild day feel much chillier.
Always look at the “feels like” number if you’re deciding what to wear or how long to be outside.
2. Rain and Thunderstorms
Atlanta weather can go from clear to stormy quickly, especially:
- Afternoons in late spring and summer
- On days with high humidity and heat
If your app shows a high chance of rain within the next few hours, expect:
- Short but intense downpours
- Thunder and lightning
- Lower visibility on interstates like I‑20, I‑75, and I‑85
⛈️ Safety note: When thunder is audible, it’s generally recommended to move indoors and avoid open parks and high exposed areas until it passes.
3. Wind
Atlanta doesn’t usually experience extreme wind outside of storms, but:
- Storm cells can produce strong, sudden gusts
- Tropical systems remnants moving through Georgia can bring gusty, rainy conditions
If you see high wind alerts on your forecast, secure outdoor items on balconies, porches, or in yards.
4. Air Quality and Pollen
Some days, Atlanta’s air can feel hazy or heavy, especially:
- During stretches of hot, stagnant summer weather
- Near busy highways and during peak commute hours
- During pollen season in spring
Most weather apps now include:
- Air Quality Index (AQI)
- Pollen counts for trees, grass, and weeds
This can be useful if you’re planning to run along the Atlanta BeltLine, visit Piedmont Park, or bring kids to outdoor playgrounds.
Quick Atlanta Weather-Planning Guide
Use this simple table as a fast reference for what to expect if you step outside in Atlanta depending on current conditions.
| If your app shows… | What it likely feels like in Atlanta now | Smart move before you go out |
|---|---|---|
| Sunny, 65–75°F, light wind | Comfortable, mild | Light layers, sunglasses, enjoy walking or biking |
| Sunny, 85–95°F, high humidity | Hot, sticky, tiring in direct sun | Light clothing, water bottle, shade breaks |
| Cloudy with 40–60% rain chance | Could stay dry or see brief shower | Pack small umbrella or light rain jacket |
| Thunderstorms likely in next few hours | Short, intense storms possible | Plan indoor backup; avoid scheduling long outdoor events |
| Below 40°F, breezy | Feels colder than the number suggests | Coat, layers, consider hat and gloves |
| High AQI or very high pollen | Air may feel heavy; possible irritation for some | Limit intense outdoor activity if you’re sensitive |
How Atlanta’s Weather Affects Getting Around the City
Driving and Commuting
Weather conditions can change how long it takes to move around metro Atlanta:
- Heavy rain: Slows traffic on I‑285, I‑75/I‑85 (“The Connector”), and surface streets.
- Thunderstorms: Reduced visibility and ponding of water on roadways.
- Ice or snow (rare but impactful):
- Can trigger school and office closures
- Leads to dangerous conditions on hilly neighborhoods and bridges
If your weather app is showing rain starting soon, consider:
- Leaving earlier or later to avoid the heaviest downpour
- Using MARTA trains for some trips through Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead
Weather and Outdoor Plans in Atlanta Right Now
Atlanta has many outdoor spots where weather matters a lot:
- Parks: Piedmont Park, Grant Park, Chastain Park, Freedom Park
- Trails: Atlanta BeltLine, Silver Comet Trail (further out), PATH trails
- Attractions: Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta Botanical Garden, outdoor events at Centennial Olympic Park
Before heading out:
- Check radar in your app, not just the forecast text.
- Look at hour-by-hour breakdown for:
- Rain timing
- Temperature changes
- Wind shifts
- Decide whether to:
- Go now and beat the heat/storm
- Wait for cooler temperatures in early morning or evening
- Move to an indoor activity (museums, Georgia Aquarium, etc.) if storms look likely
Local Resources for Weather and Emergencies in Atlanta
A few Atlanta- and Georgia-based resources can help you stay updated beyond your usual app.
National Weather Service – Atlanta Area
- Forecasts, radar, and alerts for metro Atlanta
- Forecast office serving Atlanta:
4 Falcon Drive, Peachtree City, GA 30269
Public phone: 770‑486‑0002
City of Atlanta – Emergency Management
For weather-related emergencies or preparedness information, you can contact:
- Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency (AFCEMA)
130 Peachtree Street SW, Suite 1900
Atlanta, GA 30303
Main phone: 404‑612‑5660
These agencies provide alerts on severe storms, flooding, extreme heat, or rare winter weather events that could affect daily life in Atlanta.
How to Quickly Interpret “Atlanta Weather Right Now”
When you open your weather app for Atlanta, run through this fast checklist:
- Current temperature + feels-like
- Is it comfortable, hot, or cold for you?
- Precipitation next 2–3 hours
- Any rain or storms moving in before you finish errands, commuting, or exercising outside?
- Wind and alerts
- Are there warnings for thunderstorms, flooding, or strong winds?
- Air quality or pollen (if relevant)
- Important if you have breathing sensitivities or strong reactions to pollen.
- Time of day
- In summer, afternoons are usually the hottest.
- In winter, nights and early mornings are the coldest.
Using these points with a live Atlanta forecast lets you answer, in a practical way, “What’s the weather like in Atlanta right now, and what should I do about it?”