MONDAY’S WEATHER | ‘Clear, breezy and downright cold’

It’s that time of year in Georgia when we have a lot of fluctuating temperatures. And while we’re just one day away from the start of spring, we’ll really feel that downward spiral Monday as a cold front drapes over metro Atlanta.

It’ll be so cold, in fact, that a freeze warning will go into effect at midnight.

But first, Monday morning temps are in the 40s, and afternoon highs will top out in the mid to upper 50s. That’s well below the average 67-degree high for this time of year. It’ll also be breezy, so it’ll feel even colder than it is, Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Eboni Deon said.

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“It’s going to be clear, breezy, and downright cold,” she said.

Some gusts could reach up to 30 mph.

“Winds are going to be pushing in from the north and west, and that will help to usher in the colder air that’s heading our way,” Deon said.

With temperatures dropping to at or below freezing overnight, the freeze warning as temps will be in effect until 10 a.m. Tuesday. It includes all of metro Atlanta and most of North Georgia where the growing season has already started.

Freeze warnings are issued in the spring and fall at the start and end of the growing season when the freezing temps could cause damage to plants. In the spring, it’s best to wait until the last freeze of the season to start planting, which typically comes after tax day — April 15.

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In Atlanta, the city is opening warming centers for anyone needing to get out of the cold. One for men only will be open at the Central Park Recreation Center at 400 Merritts Avenue starting at 8 p.m. today through 7 a.m. Tuesday. Another center for women and children only will be open during the same hours at the Selena Butler Recreation Center at 98 William Holmes Borders Senior Drive.

Transportation will be provided by Fulton County from the Gateway Center at 8 p.m. with return transportation provided Tuesday morning.

The cold won’t last very long, though. By Wednesday, we will see highs back in the upper 60s and Thursday will bring 70-degree temps. We’ll see another dip into the 50s and 60s on Friday along with a chance of rain. But the weekend is looking great so far with highs in the 70s and partly to mostly cloudy skies.