Freeze Warning Covers Forsyth and Cherokee; Colder Night Ahead Across North Atlanta

Forsyth and Cherokee counties face freezing temperatures early Saturday, Nov. 14, with a colder, more widespread freeze expected across North Atlanta by Sunday morning. Residents should protect sensitive plants and exposed outdoor plumbing before temperatures fall Friday night.

The National Weather Service has issued a freeze warning for 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 at higher elevations.

Saturday night brings the greater concern. Forecasters expect the coldest night of the season so far, with temperatures at or below 28 degrees across much of North Georgia and into metro Atlanta.

A freeze watch covers the following local areas from 1 to 9 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 15:

Area	Early Saturday	Early Sunday
Forsyth County, including Cumming	Freeze warning	Freeze watch
Cherokee County, including Canton and Woodstock	Freeze warning	Freeze watch
North Fulton, including Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton and Roswell	Outside Saturday’s warning	Freeze watch
Gwinnett County	Outside Saturday’s warning	Freeze watch

Sunday’s watch allows for temperatures as low as 25 degrees in the northern and western watch area, which includes Forsyth and Cherokee. The watch covering North Fulton and Gwinnett calls for readings as low as 29 degrees. Those are regional ranges; temperatures will vary by location.

In Sugar Hill, the Friday morning forecast calls for a low around 34 degrees Friday night and 30 degrees Saturday night. Sunny afternoons should reach about 53 degrees Saturday and 56 Sunday, with widespread frost possible early Sunday.

The cold comes with little prospect of precipitation in the suburbs. A few isolated flurries are possible Friday at higher elevations in the northeast Georgia mountains, but forecasters expect otherwise dry conditions through the weekend.

Before nightfall, move tender potted plants to shelter and protect vulnerable outdoor pipes. The Weather Service recommends insulating or draining exposed plumbing, or allowing susceptible pipes to drip slowly. Pets and livestock need protection from the cold and drinking water that has not frozen. Anyone heading out early should dress for the overnight temperatures, even with sunshine expected later.

Some relief arrives next week. Afternoon temperatures should recover into the 60s across the region by Wednesday. Readers can check their address at weather.gov for updated forecasts and any changes to the watches and warnings.

For current conditions, local radar and official alerts, visit the North Atlanta Weather Desk.