Winter officially begins at 12:11 p.m. Saturday, and the new season will be ushered in by spring-like temperatures, rain and thunderstorms.
There’s even a risk of isolated severe storms across metro Atlanta Sunday.
“We have a major cold front that’s headed this way this weekend,” Channel 2 meteorologist said. “Ahead of it, very warm temperatures.”
Minton predicted highs will be in the mid-60s Friday and low 70s Saturday and Sunday, with lows in the mid-50s early Saturday and low 60s early Sunday.
Normal high for Dec. 20 is 53, the normal low 36.
Minton said there’s a 10 percent chance of rain late Friday, increasing to 20 percent Saturday.
Sunday, the chance of rain goes up to 100 percent.
A squall line expected to develop ahead of the cold front could bring severe thunderstorms to Georgia, Minton said. “We can’t rule out an isolated tornado along this line,” she said.
Minton said the squall line should enter northwest Georgia around 1 a.m. Sunday, and reach metro Atlanta around daybreak.
Areas of Georgia north of I-85 are most at-risk for severe storms, Minton said.
The rain should taper off Sunday afternoon, leaving clear skies for Monday and Tuesday’s last-minute Christmas shopping.
Highs behind the front on Monday should be in the low 50s, with highs Tuesday only expected to reach the mid- to upper 40s after morning readings in the upper 20s.
Christmas Day should be sunny but cool, with highs in the upper 40s and lows in the upper 20s.
Motorists traveling for Christmas will find no construction-related lane closures, as those have been suspended beginning at 5 p.m. Friday and continuing through 5 a.m. on Jan. 2.
Events downtown this weekend include Friday night’s Hawks-Jazz game at Philips Arena.
About the Author
