Parts of North Georgia under freeze watch; winds could intensify

Tomorrow: Sunny. High: 62

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

Wind and cool temperatures have replaced the sun and warm temps Atlanta saw earlier.

And temps could be near freezing by Saturday morning, according to Channel 2 Action News.

Currently, it’s 50 degrees, Channel 2 reported. Atlanta reached 58, which is 15 degrees lower than the 73-degree high Atlanta hit Thursday.

And wind speeds have already hit 31 mph.

“For your Friday evening plans, you want to grab a jacket,” Channel 2 meteorologist Brad Nitz said.

That’s especially the case for far North Georgia, where a wind advisory is in effect until midnight Saturday for Habersham and Rabun counties.

“There could be some downed trees or tree limbs,” Nitz said.

The National Weather Service also issued a freeze watch for parts of North Georgia and metro Atlanta. A freeze watch is issued when there is a potential for significant, widespread freezing temperatures within the next 24 to 36 hours, according to the NWS.

The watch, set to expire at 9 a.m. Saturday, covers Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Dade, Douglas, Floyd, Forsyth, Fulton, Hall, Haralson, Paulding, Polk, Walker and Whitfield counties.

The winds could intensify overnight, Channel 2 Chief meteorologist Glenn Burns said.

Not only is it windy and cool in metro Atlanta, snow is even in the forecast for far North Georgia next week, Channel 2 reported.

But don’t worry. A lot of snow isn’t expected. A rain/snow mix is most likely, and not until Wednesday.

Atlanta is expected to return to 50- and 60-degree weather next week. The next chance of rain is Tuesday at 60 percent.