Weather Alert: Brace Yourselves for Dangerous Wind Chills

By Scott Bernarde

The cold and windy weather will hit Kennesaw and the rest of north Georgia like an ice pick in the forehead today, bringing us the coldest temperatures since last January.

And get this: there’s even a chance of frozen precipitation this weekend.

The National Weather Service in Peachtree City has issued wind chill and high wind advisories for virtually all of north and central Georgia today. Winds gusting to 40 mph will send wind chills to the single digits in most locations, and even as low as minus-5 in extreme north Georgia.

Overnight lows are expected to be in the low teens from Atlanta northward, and will be considerably lower with the windy conditions.

“Very cold air and strong winds can result in frostbite or hypothermia if proper precautions are not taken,” the weather service said.

The wind advisory is in effect from 10 a.m. Wednesday to 1 a.m. Thursday, with winds 20 to 30 mph and gusts to 40. Along with supercharging the cold temperatures, winds could also topple trees and damage unsecured property.

The wind chill advisory is in effect from 7 p.m. Wednesday to 10 a.m. Thursday (check out the wind-chill chart in the attached NWS graphic).

The weather service suggests that if you have to go outside, dress in layers, wear a hat and mittens (they are better than gloves), and try to stay out of the wind. Make sure your kids are properly bundled up at the bus stop Thursday morning. Bring your pets indoors.

>> Check out these cold weather tips from the CDC

In Kennesaw, the weather service forecasts an overnight low of 11 degrees tonight. Thursday’s high is expected to be 19, followed by lows of 19 Thursday night, 20 again on Friday night and 27 Saturday.

There is a 30 percent chance of freezing rain Sunday, when the high is expected to be 43.