Coldest New Year’s Day in 16 years expected

Partly cloudy sky expected Friday afternoon

ATLANTA FORECAST

Today: Some clouds will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High: 50

Tonight: A few passing clouds. Low: 34

Tomorrow: Mainly sunny. High: 49

For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.

Think it’s cold now?

According to Channel 2 Action News, wait until the weekend.

While a small chance of snow continues to exist, it’s the cold that should really concern you, the news station reported.

“An arctic front will pass through Saturday without much more than some passing clouds,” Channel 2 meteorologist Katie Walls said.

Frigid air is expected to come behind that front starting on New Year’s Eve and usher in temperatures in the high 20s or low 30s by midnight.

"Wind chills during the Peach Drop (on New Year's Eve) will be in the low 20s and be even colder as we start 2018," Walls said.

New Year’s Day is forecast to be the coldest Atlanta has felt since 2002, when the city hit a low of 22 degrees, she said. Monday’s expected low is 24.

“Plan for it now,” Walls said. “The first week in January will be cold.”

The first week of the new year is forecast to bring temperatures in the teens, according to Channel 2 Action News.

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Currently, it is 48 degrees in Atlanta, according to Channel 2.

Temperatures are expected to reach a high of 50 degrees later in the day, Walls said.

Mostly sunny skies are in the forecast for the afternoon and evening commutes.