Freeze Warning, Frost Advisory Issued For North And Central GA

GEORGIA — Cold temperatures in the forecast have prompted weather officials to issue freeze warnings and frost advisories for much of north and central Georgia.

A killing frost to end the growing season could be coming to much of the state Sunday morning, according to the National Weather Service. And overnight lows will be cold into next week.

Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops and other sensitive vegetation, and the cold could damage outdoor plumbing that is unprotected.

"Brrr! Overnight low temperatures will struggle to make it above the freezing mark through early Sunday morning in these areas," the weather service said. "Make sure to bring any sensitive plants indoors tonight!"

The freeze warning is in effect from 10 p.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday. Temperatures will range from the upper 20s in far northeast Georgia to near 32 into middle Georgia, generally along and north of a line from Columbus to Cordele to Dublin and to Louisville.

Communities in the freeze warning include: Bartow, Cherokee, Forsyth, Paulding, Cobb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Barrow, Oconee, Douglas and DeKalb counties, along with the cities of Rome, Cartersville, Gainesville, Marietta, Atlanta, Lawrenceville, Athens, Carrollton, Douglasville, Decatur, Conyers, Covington, Newnan, Peachtree City, Macon, Columbus, and Warner Robins.

To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing.

A cold airmass will continue to pose frost or freeze concerns for parts of north and central Georgia each morning through Tuesday, the weather service said.

Here's the latest forecast:

• Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 54. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
• Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 34. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
• Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 59. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
• Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 39. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
• Monday: Sunny, with a high near 58. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
• Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 40.
• Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 67.
• Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 45.
• Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 70.