Red Flag, Freeze Warnings Issued For Metro Atlanta

ATLANTA, GA — Metro Atlanta is under a red flag warning for low humidity levels Wednesday and will undergo a freeze warning Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

The red flag warning, which means critical fire weather conditions are either happening or will happen in the next 24 hours, went into effect at noon Wednesday and will end at 8 p.m., according to the alert.

The warning was issued for Cobb, Fulton, Paulding, Hall, Cherokee, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Bartow, Barrow, Clarke, Oconee, Douglas, DeKalb and several other counties.

Northwest winds of 10-15 mph with gusts near 25 mph are expected in the metro. Minimum relative humidity values are between 20 and 25 percent.

"Due to low humidity and breezy winds, in addition to dry fuels and ongoing significant drought conditions, any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended," weather officials said.

Residents are asked to use extreme caution when burning materials outdoors and are asked to refer to their local authorities on whether or not burning is permitted.

Meanwhile, the metro counties will undergo a freeze warning from midnight until 10 a.m. Thursday as sub-freezing temperatures as low as 26 degrees are forecast.

Weather officials said frost and freeze conditions can kill crops and potentially damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.

"Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold," weather officials said in the alert.

Residents are urged to wrap, drain or slowly drip their outdoor water pipes. In-ground sprinklers should be drained, the weather service stated.

High temperatures are expected to remain in the low 50s through Thursday until rising to the low 60s Friday through the weekend.

At around 12:30 p.m., the weather service predicted the following forecast:

This Afternoon: Sunny, with a high near 53. North wind 10-15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 32. North wind 5-10 mph becoming east after midnight.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 56. East wind 5-10 mph.

Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 34. East wind around 5 mph.

Friday: Widespread frost before 9 a.m. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 62. East wind 5-10 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 69.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 72.

Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.

Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 71.