North Atlanta Today: Freeze Warning Covers Forsyth and Cherokee

Forsyth and Cherokee counties are under a freeze warning for early Saturday, and a colder night could bring freezing temperatures across North Fulton, Gwinnett and much of North Georgia by Sunday morning.

This North Atlanta Today edition covers reporting and official forecasts available through 12:04 p.m. EST on Friday, Nov. 13, 2026. Weather alerts can change after that cutoff.

Two cold mornings, with Sunday expected to be worse

The National Weather Service freeze warning covers Forsyth, Cherokee and other northern and western Georgia counties from 1 to 9 a.m. Saturday. Temperatures could fall to 29 degrees within the warning area, with colder readings possible at higher elevations.

A freeze watch then expands across North Fulton and Gwinnett, as well as Forsyth and Cherokee, from late Saturday night through Sunday morning. The northern and western watch area could fall as low as 25 degrees. North Fulton and Gwinnett could reach 29.

The warning and watch are forecasts, not live temperature readings. Before Friday night, the Weather Service recommends moving tender plants to shelter and protecting exposed outdoor plumbing. Pets and livestock also need warm shelter and unfrozen drinking water.

Read the North Atlanta Star’s county-by-county freeze guide, and check the latest National Weather Service warning bulletin for changes after the cutoff.

Fewer homes sell, but prices do not fall with them

October home sales fell 24.6% from a year earlier in Forsyth County and 21.4% in Gwinnett, according to Georgia MLS county snapshots. Forsyth recorded 175 sales, with the median price unchanged at $585,000. Gwinnett recorded 590, while its median edged up 0.1% to $409,975.

The slowdown reached the rest of the northern suburbs. Fulton sales fell 17.5% while the countywide median rose 4.8% to $443,888. Cherokee sales declined 12.2%, and its median fell 2.9% to $473,500. Fulton’s figures include Atlanta and communities outside North Fulton, so they are not a separate measure of Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton or Roswell.

“Prices holding steady doesn’t necessarily mean homes are selling easily,” Peter Iyiegbu, a Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers agent, told the North Atlanta Star. He said buyers remain in the market but are more selective, while some sellers are still pricing from older sales or a neighbor’s asking price.

Borrowing costs remain a large part of the squeeze. Freddie Mac’s average 30-year fixed rate was 7.11% on Nov. 12, compared with 6.24% a year earlier. On a $480,000 mortgage, the difference between 7.11% and 6% is about $351 in monthly principal and interest, before taxes, insurance or association fees.

See the complete county comparison and the outlook for pending sales.

Closer look: Briella’s “brave mark”

Six-year-old Briella Lummus has already had two open-heart surgeries. Before one hospital visit, she began to cry. “I don’t want to be brave again!” her mother, Kelly, recalled her saying.

Her brother Zachary, who has faced medical appointments and cranial surgery himself, came over and hugged her. “I know it’s so hard to be brave Briella, we can do it together,” he told her.

Briella was born with tetralogy of Fallot and later received two stents through catheterization procedures. Her care team continues to monitor her heart as she grows. At home in Alpharetta, she sings, dances and turns cartwheels, recently started gymnastics and calls her surgical scar her “brave mark.”

Kelly said the family has learned to take each day as it comes and make the most of opportunities to build memories together. Their ordinary days include shaded parks, the creek at Webb Bridge Park, farm animals at Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and evening ice cream at Halcyon.

Read Briella’s full family story at the North Atlanta Star.

World Market opens in Cumming

World Market opened its fifth Atlanta-area store Friday at 2265 Market Place Boulevard, next to Ulta in Cumming Town Center. The 14,727-square-foot store combines imported foods and beverages with furniture, rugs, kitchenware, seasonal decorations and gifts.

Product tastings and giveaways are planned through opening weekend, although the company has not specified individual promotions or quantities. Regular hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Read the full opening report, including the store’s location and weekend details.

Look ahead: holiday lights from free to $36.76 and up

Families planning holiday-light outings can choose free walks in Alpharetta and Dunwoody or paid attractions that charge by the vehicle or person. Lights on the Loop in Alpharetta opens Dec. 4 with free trail access and parking. Brook Run Park’s free walk-through display in Dunwoody returns Dec. 1.

Among the paid drive-throughs, Holiday Lights of Canton opens Nov. 21 at $25 per vehicle, before fees. Holiday Lights of Woodstock opens Nov. 20 at $30 per vehicle. Magical Nights of Lights at Lanier Islands starts at $36.76 per passenger vehicle, with date-based pricing and Snow Island activities charged separately.

The Light Park in Lawrenceville opens Friday with online-only admission. Its lowest presale ended Thursday, so families should check the live total for their chosen night. At the Cumming Fairgrounds, two adults and two school-age children would pay $34 before skating, rides or other extras.

Compare the current prices, opening dates and admission models for seven North Atlanta displays.