Atlanta Average Temperature by Month: What to Expect All Year

Atlanta’s weather can feel confusing if you’re new to the city—or even if you’ve lived here for years. Summers are hot and humid, winters are usually mild with the occasional cold snap, and spring and fall can swing between chilly mornings and warm afternoons.

Understanding the average temperature in Atlanta by month helps you plan everything from what to wear to when to visit, host events, or work outdoors.

Below is a clear look at how temperatures typically change through the year in Atlanta, Georgia.

Atlanta Average Temperatures by Month (Quick View)

These ranges reflect typical daytime high and nighttime low temperatures in Atlanta (in °F). Individual days can be warmer or colder, but this gives a reliable overview.

All temperatures are approximate and meant for general planning in the Atlanta metro area, including neighborhoods like Midtown, Buckhead, Decatur, and surrounding suburbs.

Winter in Atlanta (December–February)

December: Cool, Holiday-Season Chill

• Average lows: upper 30s °F
• Average highs: mid-50s °F

You’ll usually see cool days and chilly nights, with some milder afternoons. Heavy winter coats aren’t always needed, but a medium-weight jacket, sweater, or layers are useful—especially for evening events downtown, at Atlantic Station, or at holiday lights displays around the city.

What locals notice:

• Some days feel almost like fall with sunshine and 60s.
• Cold fronts can briefly drop temps near or below freezing, especially overnight.

January: Atlanta’s Coldest Month

• Average lows: mid-30s °F
• Average highs: low–mid 50s °F

January is typically the coldest month in Atlanta. Most days are just cool to chilly, but cold snaps can bring morning temperatures into the 20s °F.

Snow is uncommon and usually light when it does occur, but freezing rain and black ice sometimes create travel issues, especially on bridges and overpasses along I-285 and I-75/85.

Good to plan for:

• Warm coat, hat, and gloves for early-morning commutes or MARTA rides.
• Layering if you’re walking around Downtown or attending outdoor events.

February: Still Cool, Hint of Spring

• Average lows: upper 30s °F
• Average highs: mid–upper 50s °F

February swings between late-winter chill and early-spring mildness. Some afternoons reach the 60s, while nights stay cool.

You may notice warmer stretches that start to bring people back to outdoor patios in neighborhoods like Inman Park and the Westside, but it can still drop to freezing on colder nights.

Spring in Atlanta (March–May)

March: Unpredictable but Generally Mild

• Average lows: mid-40s °F
• Average highs: mid-60s °F

March is a transition month. You can get:

• Cool, rainy days in the 50s.
• Warm days in the 70s that feel like early summer.

This is when pollen season typically ramps up, especially around blooming trees along streets, in Piedmont Park, and other green spaces.

What to wear:

• Light jacket or hoodie in the morning.
• Layers you can remove midday when temperatures climb.

April: Comfortable and Often Ideal

• Average lows: low–mid 50s °F
• Average highs: low–mid 70s °F

April is one of the most pleasant months in Atlanta. Days are usually mild to warm, with cooler nights.

This is prime time for:

• Walking the BeltLine
• Attending festivals
• Outdoor dining across Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, and Virginia-Highland

You may still see some cooler days and scattered showers, but most afternoons feel comfortable with a light jacket or just long sleeves.

May: Warm, Starting to Feel Like Summer

• Average lows: around 60 °F
• Average highs: around 80 °F

By May, Atlanta warms up considerably. Afternoon temperatures often reach the upper 70s to low 80s, with increasing humidity.

This is the month when:

• Shorts and short sleeves become common.
• Pools and splash pads around metro parks begin to open for the season.
• Evening temperatures stay pleasant for outdoor concerts and sports.

Summer in Atlanta (June–August)

June: Hot and Humid Arrives

• Average lows: upper 60s–low 70s °F
• Average highs: upper 80s °F

June marks the beginning of consistently hot and humid weather in Atlanta. It’s common to see:

• Afternoon highs around 88–89 °F
• Muggy conditions that make it feel even hotter

Short, afternoon thunderstorms are frequent, especially on warm, sticky days. These can move through quickly but may be intense with lightning and heavy rain.

Practical tips:

• Light, breathable clothing.
• Water on hand if you’re at outdoor attractions like Zoo Atlanta or the Georgia Aquarium area (even with indoor visits, you’ll walk outside between spots).

July: Peak Heat in the City

• Average lows: around 72 °F
• Average highs: near 90 °F

July is often the hottest month in Atlanta, especially in the urban core where buildings and pavement hold heat.

Expect:

• High humidity, especially in the afternoon.
• Many days with real-feel temperatures well above the actual reading.
• Warm nights that stay in the 70s.

This is a prime time for air conditioning—whether you’re living in an Atlanta apartment, working in office buildings downtown, or staying in a hotel in Buckhead or near Hartsfield-Jackson.

August: Still Hot, Storms More Frequent

• Average lows: low 70s °F
• Average highs: upper 80s–around 90 °F

August feels much like July: hot, humid, and stormy. Thunderstorms often pop up in the afternoon and early evening.

You might notice:

• Steam rising off streets after heavy rain.
• Quick shifts from bright sunshine to dark clouds and back again.

If you’re visiting outdoor sites like Stone Mountain Park or the BeltLine, planning activities earlier in the day or closer to sunset can make the temperature more manageable.

Fall in Atlanta (September–November)

September: Warm but Slowly Easing

• Average lows: mid–upper 60s °F
• Average highs: low–mid 80s °F

September often feels like an extended late summer in Atlanta. It’s still warm and sometimes hot mid-afternoon, but you’ll start noticing:

• Slightly cooler mornings and evenings
• Less intense humidity later in the month

It’s a popular time for outdoor festivals, walking tours, and sports events, as conditions become more comfortable compared to peak summer.

October: One of the Best Months to Be Outside

• Average lows: mid-50s °F
• Average highs: low–mid 70s °F

October is widely viewed as one of Atlanta’s best weather months. Days are usually pleasant, with:

• Mild afternoons perfect for park visits and fall festivals
• Comfortable evenings where a light jacket or sweater is enough

This is great weather for:

• Exploring Piedmont Park, the Botanical Garden, and local trails
• Visiting college campuses around Atlanta
• Outdoor dining in neighborhoods like Grant Park and West Midtown

November: Noticeably Cooler, True Fall Feeling

• Average lows: mid–upper 40s °F
• Average highs: low–mid 60s °F

November brings cooler air and a more consistent fall feel. You’ll see:

• Cool mornings that may feel chilly without a jacket
• Comfortable but cooler afternoons, especially in the shade

By late November:

• Heavier jackets come out more often.
• Nights can drop into the 30s °F, especially in less built-up or higher-elevation suburbs around the metro area.

How Atlanta’s Temperatures Feel in Daily Life

Urban Heat vs. Suburbs

Within the city of Atlanta, especially Downtown and Midtown, temperatures can feel a bit warmer than in surrounding suburbs due to:

• Concrete and asphalt holding heat
• Fewer large tree canopies in some dense areas

If you live or stay in tree-lined neighborhoods (for example, parts of Druid Hills, Morningside, or Decatur), summer days may feel slightly less intense thanks to shade.

Humidity and “Feels Like” Temperatures

In late spring, summer, and early fall, humidity significantly affects comfort. The actual temperature might be 88 °F, but high humidity can make it feel several degrees warmer.

This is especially noticeable:

• On MARTA platforms during rush hour
• At outdoor venues and stadiums
• While walking uphill on city streets or trails

💡 Tip: When checking the forecast for Atlanta, look at both the air temperature and the “feels like” temperature, especially from May through September.

Planning Around Atlanta’s Monthly Temperatures

What to Pack by Season

• Winter (Dec–Feb):
  Medium-weight coat or jacket, sweaters, long pants, closed-toe shoes, and layers for colder snaps.

• Spring (Mar–May):
  Light jacket or hoodie, layers, long pants and some lighter clothing, rain-ready shoes or umbrella.

• Summer (Jun–Aug):
  Light, breathable clothing, hat, sunglasses, and comfortable walking shoes. Many indoor spaces use strong air conditioning, so a light layer can still be useful.

• Fall (Sep–Nov):
  Transition pieces: jeans, light sweaters, a jacket for cooler mornings/evenings, and T-shirts for milder afternoons.

Outdoor Activities and Best Temperature Windows

• Comfortable walking, parks, and festivals:
  Most people prefer March–May and late September–early November.
• Pool and water activities:
  Late May through early September is warm enough for most people to comfortably swim.
• Running and cycling outdoors:
  Many runners in Atlanta favor early mornings in summer and daytime in winter when temperatures are milder.

Where to Get Reliable Local Temperature Information

If you live in or are visiting Atlanta, you can monitor current conditions and averages using:

• National Weather Service – Atlanta area forecasts
  The NWS typically provides detailed local forecasts, temperature trends, and alerts specific to the Atlanta metro.

• Local TV and radio weather
  Atlanta-based stations commonly give neighborhood-level temperature forecasts, heat advisories, and storm timing.

For historical averages or more detailed climate info, you can also look at long-term climate data for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which is a standard reference point for Atlanta’s official temperatures.

Understanding the average temperature by month in Atlanta helps you plan realistically—whether you’re choosing when to visit, preparing for a move, or simply deciding what to wear tomorrow. Expect mild winters, hot and humid summers, and long, comfortable stretches in spring and fall, with local variations shaped by shade, elevation, and how urban your part of the city is.