Residents of Atlanta can expect a break from the rain later today with showers dwindling before the afternoon, transitioning into a slight chance of drizzle post-lunch. After a wet start, today's temperatures are anticipated to hover near 48 degrees, according to an extended forecast obtained by the National Weather Service.

Tonight, the city is looking at a mostly cloudy evening accompanied by dips in temperature to around 24 degrees, and a breeze from the northwest could introduce gusts up to 20 mph. But this glimpse of winter is short-lived, as Thursday promises full sunshine though the mercury won't rise much past 36 degrees. "Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph," reports the NWS forecast, implying an extra layer of clothing might not go amiss.

As the week progresses, Atlantans can put their umbrellas to rest with an uninterrupted stretch of clear skies slated for Thursday night through to the following Tuesday. The thermometers will renew their upward climb come Friday, offering a high near 45 degrees and a gentle north wind around 5 mph to accompany what seems to be the beginning of a dry spell.

Weekend forecasts suggest near perfect conditions for those with plans in the great outdoors. Expect "mostly sunny" to "sunny" days with temperatures cradling a comfortable high of 52 degrees on Saturday and reaching upwards to 55 by Sunday. For those savoring the night, substantially clear skies spell out serene evenings as temperatures gently descend to the low to mid-thirties, as per the NWS.

The forecast reveals that the early whispers of spring might just be on the horizon for Atlanta as Monday's high swings to a pleasant 63 degrees, with Tuesday topping off at an almost balmy 69 degrees.