In response to the impending cold snap, the City of Atlanta is taking proactive measures by opening multiple warming centers to provide residents with a shield against the frigid temperatures. The centers began welcoming individuals seeking warmth yesterday evening and will continue to do so through tomorrow morning.
The Atlanta government announced these temporary havens will open according to a schedule beginning on "Sunday, January 11, 2026, at 8:00 p.m." and will stretch to promptly shut down on "Monday, January 12, 2026, at 10:00 a.m." A second round is set to open later today at 8:00 p.m. and will look to serve the public until tomorrow at 9:00 a.m., as stated on the city's official website.
For those requiring a warm space, the Central Park Recreation Center located at 400 Merritts Ave. NE, Atlanta 30308 has opened its doors. Additionally, the Selena S. Butler Park and Recreation Center at 98 William Holmes Borders Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA 30312, is available exclusively to women and children. The city has also prepared the Old Adamsville Recreation Center at 3404 Delmar Ln NW, Atlanta, GA 30331, which will be utilized if necessary.
Atlanta is not leaving its vulnerable populations to navigate to these centers alone. Transportation will be provided each night at 8:00 p.m. from the Gateway Center, with Fulton County offering a return trip following the deactivation of the centers. It's important for those in need to know that activation times are fluid, likely to modify based on the most recent forecasts from the National Weather Service.
