The National Weather Service forecasts sunny skies here in Cobb County on Thursday, April 20, 2023, with a high near 85 degrees.

Tonight it is expected to be clear, with an overnight low of around 58 degrees.

We’re under two alerts today:

A Code Orange alert for poor air quality. People sensitive to pollution should avoid strenuous outdoor activity.

And a high fire danger alert due to low relative humidity and dry conditions that are expected this afternoon.

What does the extended forecast have in store?

This forecast is centered on Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta.

Today 

Sunny, with a high near 85. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

Tonight 

Clear, with a low around 58. South wind around 5 mph.

Friday 

Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Friday Night

A chance of showers before 11 p.m, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11 p.m and 2 a.m, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Saturday 

Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11 a.m, then a chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Saturday Night 

Mostly clear, with a low around 46.

Sunday 

Sunny, with a high near 70.

Sunday Night 

Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.

Monday 

Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.

Monday Night 

Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.

Tuesday

A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66.

Tuesday Night

A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53.

Wednesday 

Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

What was the climate like in the latest reporting period?

The NWS climate summary for metro Atlanta has now been updated with November figures.

In an article entitled What is the Difference between Climate and Weather?, the National Ocean Service describes the difference as follows:

“Weather is what you see outside on any particular day. So, for example, it may be 75° degrees and sunny or it could be 20° degrees with heavy snow. That’s the weather.

“Climate is the average of that weather. For example, you can expect snow in the Northeast in January or for it to be hot and humid in the Southeast in July. This is climate. The climate record also includes extreme values such as record high temperatures or record amounts of rainfall. If you’ve ever heard your local weather person say “today we hit a record high for this day,” she is talking about climate records.

“So when we are talking about climate change, we are talking about changes in long-term averages of daily weather. In most places, weather can change from minute-to-minute, hour-to-hour, day-to-day, and season-to-season. Climate, however, is the average of weather over time and space.”

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The climate report for the Atlanta area for the previous month shows how much departure from the average temperatures that month represents. The average temperature for a date is the average over a 30-year period.

February 2023 Climate Averages
Climate Site	February Temp (°F)	Average Temp	Departure from normal
Athens	55.2	47.9	7.3
Atlanta	57.1	48.5	8.6
Columbus	59.3	52.3	7.0
Macon	59.4	51.2	8.2
Dekalb Peachtree Arpt	54.3	46.1	8.2
Fulton Co Arpt	55.1	47.5	7.6
Gainesville	54.5	45.7	8.8
Peachtree City	55.7	48.7	7.0
Rome	53.5	46.3	7.2

February 2023 Temperature Climate Statistics
Climate Site	Maximum Temperature	Max T Date	Minimum Temperature	Min T Date
Athens	81*	2/22	28	2/4, 18
Atlanta	81*	2/22	29	2/18
Columbus	84	2/22	31	2/18
Macon	85*	2/22	30	2/4, 18
Dekalb Peachtree Arpt	80	2/22	26	2/4
Fulton Co Arpt	82	2/22	26	2/4
Gainesville	80	2/22	27	2/18
Peachtree City	81	2/22	27	2/18
Rome	83	2/22	26	2/4

*Indicates a daily record was set

February 2023  Precipitation Climate Statistics
Climate Site	Total Precipitation	Average Precipitation	DFN (DepartureFrom Normal)
Athens	3.12	4.36	-1.24
Atlanta	2.22	4.55	-2.33
Columbus	1.99	4.46	-2.47
Macon	2.52	4.17	-1.65
Dekalb Peachtree Arpt	3.15	4.47	-1.32
Fulton County Arpt	3.40	4.34	-0.94
Gainesville	3.87	4.65	-0.78
Peachtree City	2.77	4.61	-1.84
Rome	4.65	4.81	-0.16

February 2023  Precipitation Climate Statistics
Climate Site	Maximum Daily Precip (in inches)	Max P Date
Athens	1.25	2/11
Atlanta	0.86	2/2
Columbus	0.86	2/2
Macon	1.79	2/11
Dekalb Peachtree Arpt	0.88	2/17
Fulton Co Arpt	1.12	2/16
Gainesville	0.86	2/23
Peachtree City	0.93	2/11
Rome	2.11	2/16

February 2023 Climate Records
Date	Type	Location	Records set over a 24 hour period
2/23	High T	Athens	A daily record high Temperature of 80° breaks the old record set in 2012.
2/24	High T	Athens	A daily record high Temperature of 80° breaks the old record set in 2012.
2/22	High T	Atlanta	A daily record high Temperature of 80° breaks the old record set in 2021.
2/23	High T	Atlanta	A daily record high Temperature of 81° breaks the old record set in 2018.
2/24	High T	Atlanta	A daily record high Temperature of 81° breaks the old record set in 2018.
2/26	High T	Macon	A daily record high Temperature of 83° breaks the old record set in 1944.
2/27	High T	Macon	A daily record high Temperature of 83° breaks the old record set in 1944.

February 2023 Climate Records
Date	Type	Location	Records set over a 24 hour period
2/24	Min T	Atlanta	A record high Minimum Temperature of 69° breaks the all time record..
2/23	Min T	Atlanta	A record high Minimum Temperature of 67° breaks the all time record.
2/24	Min T	Columbus	A daily record high Minimum Temperature of 65° breaks the old record set in 2018.
2/23	Min T	Columbus	A record high Minimum Temperature of 68° breaks the all time record.
2/25	Min T	Macon	A daily record high Minimum Temperature of 66° breaks the old record set in 1981.

For much more information on the climate in our area, visit the NWS Climate FAQ for the Atlanta area.

What does the National Weather Service do?

The National Weather Service (NWS) is a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The NWS describes its role as follows:

“The National Weather Service (NWS) provides weather, water, and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters and ocean areas, for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy. 

“These services include Forecasts and Observations, Warnings, Impact-based Decision Support Services, and Education in an effort to build a Weather-Ready Nation. The ultimate goal is to have a society that is prepared for and responds to weather, water and climate events.”