Metro Atlanta may wake up to frost

Freezing temperatures should make their fall debut overnight as far south as Helen, right on schedule.

The average date for the first autumn freeze falls between Oct. 20 and Nov. 1 in the Georgia mountains, though the chilly weather isn’t here to stay. At least not yet.

“This is what we call transition season,” National Weather Service forecaster Terry Murphy said Sunday night. “This is the first announcement of what’s to come.”

Temperatures at or below freezing were expected in North Georgia, Murphy said.

Closer to Atlanta, a frost advisory was issued for areas including Cartersville, Marietta, East Point, Peachtree City and Newnan. Temperatures could fall into the mid-30s in some areas.

Temperatures are expected to warm up through the week, topping out at 76 degrees Tuesday in metro Atlanta. Forecasters are keeping their eye on a system that could bring some much-needed rain later in the week.