Weather in Atlanta, Georgia: What to Expect and How to Plan Around It

Atlanta’s weather is a big part of daily life in the city. Whether you’re commuting on the Connector, planning a walk on the BeltLine, or flying in and out of Hartsfield-Jackson, it helps to know how Atlanta, Georgia weather typically behaves through the year—and how quickly it can change.

This guide walks through Atlanta’s climate by season, typical temperatures and rainfall, severe weather risks, and practical tips for residents and visitors.

Atlanta’s Climate at a Glance

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

• Winters: Generally mild, with occasional short cold snaps and rare snow or ice.
• Springs: Comfortable temperatures, increasing humidity, and frequent showers or storms.
• Summers: Long, hot, and humid; afternoon thunderstorms are common.
• Falls: Often the most pleasant season, with warm days, cooler nights, and less humidity.

Quick Weather Snapshot for Atlanta

(Temperatures vary by year and day, but this gives a good general sense.)

Winter in Atlanta (December–February)

Winter in Atlanta is short and relatively mild compared with much of the U.S., but it can still surprise you.

Typical Winter Conditions

• Temperatures:
  • Daytime often in the 40s and 50s.
  • Nighttime can dip into the 30s, with occasional freezes.
• Precipitation:
  • Mostly rain, sometimes cold and steady.
  • Snow is rare, and measurable snowfall is even rarer.
• Ice risk:
  • Atlanta is more likely to see freezing rain or sleet than heavy snow.
  • Even a light glaze of ice can cause significant travel issues on roads and bridges.

How Winter Weather Affects Daily Life

• Driving:
  • Icy bridges and overpasses can become hazardous quickly.
  • Metro Atlanta drivers are not usually equipped (or practiced) for significant winter weather.
• Transit & flights:
  • MARTA rail and buses may adjust schedules in wintry conditions.
  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport can see delays if there is ice or snow, even in small amounts.
• Home prep:
  • Many homes are built for warmth and humidity, not severe cold, so residents sometimes use space heaters during brief cold snaps; safe usage is important to prevent fires.

Winter Tips for Atlanta

• Keep a light to medium coat, hat, and gloves handy for cold mornings.
• If ice or wintry mix is in the forecast, plan extra travel time or consider remote work options if available.
• Protect outdoor pipes and plants on nights with hard-freeze warnings.

Spring in Atlanta (March–May)

Spring in Atlanta is known for mild temperatures, blooming trees, and high pollen levels.

Typical Spring Conditions

• Temperatures:
  • Mornings in the 40s and 50s, afternoons often in the 60s to upper‑70s.
• Rain and storms:
  • Spring is a wet season, with frequent showers and thunderstorms.
  • Some storms can be strong, with heavy downpours, lightning, and gusty winds.
• Pollen:
  • Trees and plants release large amounts of pollen.
  • Residents often notice yellow film on cars, sidewalks, and outdoor furniture.

Spring Weather and Atlanta Life

• Outdoor activities:
  • Ideal time for visiting Piedmont Park, the Atlanta BeltLine, or Stone Mountain Park, but sudden showers are common.
• Storms:
  • Afternoon and evening thunderstorms may cause localized flooding in low-lying areas and temporary traffic backups.
• Air quality & comfort:
  • Pollen counts can be high, which many residents factor in when planning outdoor time or opening windows.

Spring Tips in Atlanta 🌦️

• Carry a compact umbrella or light rain jacket; spring showers pop up quickly.
• When storms are expected, avoid parking in spots known to collect water, such as underpasses and low parking lots.
• Check daily forecasts before outdoor events, especially festivals or sports.

Summer in Atlanta (June–August)

Summer in Atlanta is hot, long, and humid, with frequent thunderstorms.

Typical Summer Conditions

• Temperatures:
  • Afternoon highs usually in the mid‑80s to low‑90s.
  • Overnight lows often stay in the upper‑60s to 70s.
• Humidity:
  • Humidity can make temperatures feel several degrees hotter.
• Thunderstorms:
  • Afternoon and early evening storms are common, especially after hot, sunny mornings.
  • Many storms bring heavy rain, lightning, and brief gusty winds.

How Summer Weather Affects Atlanta

• Heat index:
  • On the hottest days, the “feels like” temperature can be notably higher than the actual reading.
• Outdoor plans:
  • People often exercise early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid peak heat.
  • Outdoor events, concerts, and games factor in shade, hydration, and lightning safety.
• Infrastructure:
  • Heavy downpours can cause quick ponding on I‑75, I‑85, I‑285, and I‑20, slowing rush hour.
  • Power outages may occur in strong storms from downed limbs or lines.

Summer Tips for Atlanta ☀️

• Dress in light, breathable clothing and drink water regularly if outside for long periods.
• When thunderstorms are forecast:
  • Avoid open fields and tall isolated trees.
  • Plan to pause outdoor activities like swimming, sports, or rooftop gatherings if lightning is nearby.
• Use air conditioning or fans indoors, especially in older buildings that hold heat.

Fall in Atlanta (September–November)

Many locals consider fall the most comfortable time of year in Atlanta.

Typical Fall Conditions

• Temperatures:
  • Early fall can still feel summer-like, with highs in the 70s to low‑80s.
  • By late fall, days usually fall into the 60s and 70s, with cooler nights in the 40s and 50s.
• Humidity:
  • Humidity generally decreases, making the air feel crisper and more comfortable.
• Rain:
  • Rainfall can vary, but extended dry stretches are more common than in spring or summer.

Fall Weather and Atlanta Life

• Outdoor attractions:
  • Ideal season for college football games, festivals, and walks around Midtown, Inman Park, and Grant Park.
• Visibility:
  • Clearer skies and cooler air often mean better views from places like SkyView Atlanta or scenic overlooks just outside the city.
• Allergies:
  • Some residents notice fall allergens (like certain weeds or grasses), but pollen is generally less intense than in peak spring.

Fall Tips in Atlanta 🍂

• Keep layers handy: a light jacket in the morning and evening, short sleeves for midday.
• Take advantage of the relatively stable weather for travel, home projects, or moves.
• Watch forecasts if a tropical system is moving inland from the Gulf or Atlantic, as remnants can bring heavy rain and wind.

Rain, Storms, and Severe Weather in Atlanta

Atlanta’s weather can change quickly, especially when it comes to rain and storms.

Rain Patterns

• Rain is fairly evenly spread throughout the year, with a noticeable bump in spring and summer.
• Short, intense downpours are common in warmer months and can lead to:
  • Temporary street flooding
  • Reduced visibility while driving
  • Slower commutes on major interstates and surface streets

Thunderstorms and Lightning

• Thunderstorms are most frequent in late spring and summer.
• They often develop in the afternoon and evening, especially after hot days.
• Lightning is a regular feature of many storms:
  • Outdoor events like Braves games, concerts, and festivals may pause for lightning in the area.
  • City parks and outdoor pools may close temporarily during storms.

Tornado and Severe Storm Risk

• North Georgia, including the Atlanta metro, can experience severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, hail, and occasional tornadoes, most commonly in:
  • Spring (March–May)
  • Late fall (November)

Residents regularly see severe thunderstorm watches and warnings and, less often, tornado watches or warnings.

Hurricanes and Tropical Weather in Atlanta

Atlanta is not on the coast, but it can still feel effects from tropical storms or hurricanes that move inland from the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic.

What to Expect from Tropical Systems

• Heavy rain leading to localized flooding.
• Gusty winds that can bring down branches and cause scattered power outages.
• Sometimes a brief spin-up tornado in rain bands, especially south and east of the city.

These impacts typically arrive as remnants of storms, rather than direct landfalls, but residents still track forecasts closely during hurricane season (roughly June through November).

Snow, Ice, and Rare Winter Events

While snow in Atlanta, Georgia tends to make headlines because it’s unusual, it does happen from time to time.

Typical Winter “Wintry Mix” Situations

• Freezing rain:
  • Rain falls onto surfaces at or below freezing, creating ice on trees, roads, and power lines.
• Sleet:
  • Ice pellets that bounce off surfaces, less slippery than glaze ice but still hazardous.
• Light snow:
  • Flurries or dustings more common than large accumulations.
  • Larger events are rare but can severely disrupt travel and schools due to limited snow-removal infrastructure.

When Atlanta faces winter weather, residents pay close attention to school closures, MARTA updates, and flight status changes.

Microclimates and Local Variations Across Metro Atlanta

Even within the Atlanta area, you may notice small differences in weather depending on where you are.

Urban vs. Suburban Conditions

• Downtown and Midtown (urban core):
  • Often slightly warmer at night than outlying suburbs, due to the urban heat island effect (buildings and pavement holding heat).
• Northern suburbs (e.g., Marietta, Roswell, Alpharetta):
  • Sometimes a bit cooler at night, especially in less densely developed areas.
• Southern and western suburbs (e.g., College Park, Douglasville):
  • Can see heavier rain in some thunderstorm setups, depending on storm tracks.

These differences are usually small but can matter when forecasts mention “patchy frost,” “isolated storms,” or marginal winter weather.

Where to Get Official Weather Information in Atlanta

When you need reliable, up-to-date weather for Atlanta, Georgia, these official resources serve the metro area:

• National Weather Service (NWS) – Peachtree City Office

  • Primary NWS office responsible for Atlanta forecasts, watches, and warnings.
  • Location: 4 Falcon Drive, Peachtree City, GA 30269
  • General phone (office line): 770‑486‑1133 (information line; not for emergencies)

• City of Atlanta / Fulton County Emergency Management

  • Local emergency management agencies coordinate responses to severe weather, flooding, and other hazards.
  • Residents often sign up for local alert systems to receive texts or calls about severe weather and emergencies.

For life-threatening situations (such as a tornado causing damage, downed power lines, or flooding blocking escape routes), residents and visitors in Atlanta contact 911.

Practical Weather Planning Tips for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

A few habits help you live comfortably with Atlanta’s changing weather:

• Check the daily forecast in the morning, paying attention to:
  • High and low temperatures
  • Rain or thunderstorm chances
  • Any alerts or watches
• Plan for layers:
  • Especially in spring and fall, where mornings may be cool and afternoons warm.
• Keep rain gear handy:
  • A small umbrella or light rain jacket is useful almost year-round.
• Watch rush-hour storms:
  • In summer, strong storms during evening rush can cause heavy traffic and temporary flooding.
• Know your safe places:
  • Identify interior rooms or lowest levels in your home, hotel, or office where you can shelter during severe weather or tornado warnings.

Understanding Atlanta, Georgia weather—from hot, humid summers and stormy springs to mild winters and crisp falls—helps you dress appropriately, plan your commute, schedule outdoor plans, and respond calmly when strong weather moves through the city.