As the hustle and bustle of the holiday season picks up pace, Atlantans are gearing up to enjoy a mild and mostly dry weekend before Christmas. According to the National Weather Service, today sets the scene with mostly sunny skies and a comfortable high near 56 degrees.
The tranquility of today's weather is expected to carry into tonight, with the forecast predicting mostly cloudy conditions and a low hovering around 37 degrees. The gentle touch of an eastward breeze will accompany the evening at around 5 mph. Residents planning last-minute holiday outings will welcome the reprieve from more severe winter conditions typically seen elsewhere in the country.
Looking ahead towards Friday, the sky will maintain its mostly cloudy curtains, yet allowing the sun's performance to peak through at times, with temperatures expected to rise to a near 58 degrees. The east wind continues to stay its course gently at around 5 mph. Evening plans should go unhindered, as the night sky is forecasted to be partly cloudy with a low around 41.
Saturday's forecast slightly ups the ante, promising mostly sunny skies and a little warmth boost with a high near 62. Heading into the evening, the city anticipates partly cloudy conditions and a moderate low temperature around 44 degrees. As Christmas Day approaches, uncertainty packs its bags in the form of a 50 percent chance of showers into Sunday night, starting mainly after 1 am along with a warmer low around 51.
The real show kicks in on Christmas Day, when the city can expect showers with a high temperature flirting with 60 degrees. The likelihood of getting wet is substantial—marked at a 90 percent chance of precipitation. And the night might not be as silent as some carols suggest, with thunderstorms possible after 1 am and temperatures maintaining a balmy low near 55 degrees.
The week following Christmas keeps the umbrella in hand with showers likely on Tuesday, accompanied by mostly cloudy skies and a high once again around the 62-degree mark. The evening will not promise clear skies either, holding on to a 40 percent chance of showers and projected lows around 47. The forecast from The National Weather Service tells us as gatherings wind down, Wednesday will welcome a 30 percent chance of showers under mainly cloudy skies and a cooler high near 57.
Whether celebrating the holidays indoors, shopping for last-minute gifts, or traveling to visit loved ones, Atlantans should prepare for a relatively mild and wet Christmas, but also enjoy the gentle weather leading up to it. It appears the city will be draped in a wardrobe of clouds with occasional bright spots—apt for reflection, rest, and the cozy merriment of the season.
