Climates of Georgia

Climates of Georgia

If you're considering moving to North Atlanta, one thing to consider is Climates of Georgia. Southerners love living here mostly due to the weather.

The climate of Georgia is typical of a humid subtropical climate with most of the state having mild winters and hot summers. The Atlantic Ocean on the east coast of Georgia and the hill country in the north impact the state's climate. Also, the Chattahoochee River divides Georgia into separate climatic regions with the mountain region to the northwest being colder than the rest of the state, the average temperatures for that region in January and July being 39 °F (4 °C) and 78 °F (26 °C) respectively. Winter in Georgia is characterized by mild temperatures and little snowfall around the state, with colder, snowier, and icier weather more likely across northern and central Georgia. Summer daytime temperatures in Georgia often exceed 90 °F (32 °C). The state experiences widespread precipitation. Tornadoes and tropical cyclones are common.

Temperatures Monthly average daily high and low temperatures for Atlanta City

Winter
Southern and southeast areas of the state experience snow much less frequently than other parts of Georgia. The Georgia Piedmont, sometimes referred to as the Blue Ridge province, is somewhat cooler in winter than the coastal areas. The Southern areas of the Piedmont may receive snow every other year, while areas close to the foothills get snow several times a year. The mountains of Georgia have the coolest climate and most frequent snowfall in the state, although snowfall is less than any other part of the Appalachian Mountains. The main winter weather hazard in northern Georgia is "freezing rain - or rain which freezes upon contact with the ground - which is 2 inches (5.1 cm) or more of snow falling in a 12 hour period, or 4 inches (10 cm) or more in a 24 hour period." The exception to this is the mountain areas of Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, and other surrounding counties heavy snow is "3 inches (7.6 cm) or more of snow in a 12 hour period or 4 inches (10 cm) or more of snow in a 24 hour period". Watches for heavy snow are issued when a 50 percent or greater chance of 2 inches (5.1 cm) or more of snow falling in a 12 hour period, or 4 inches (10 cm) or more in a 24 hour period is expected. Again, there are exceptions than a trace of frozen precipitation has been recorded officially for Atlanta. The criteria for the mountain counties is "3 inches (7.6 cm) inches or more of snow in a 12 hour period or 4 inches (100 mm) or more of snow in a 24 hour period".
Winter weather watches Winter weather watches are issued when there is a "50 percent or greater chance of significant and damaging accumulations of ice during freezing rain situations"; these watches are normally issued 12 to 48 hours in advance. A winter storm warning for an ice storm means that icy conditions are "occurring, imminent, or have a very high probability of occurring". These warnings are usually issued when there is an 80 percent or greater chance of meeting ice storm conditions.

Winter in South Georgia, which lasts from December to January, is much more mild. Daytime highs range from approximately 50 °F (10 °C) in the northernmost interior areas to near 70 °F (21 °C) along the coast and in the extreme south.

Winters in Georgia are determined by the Pacific Ocean. During El Niño, the jet stream is located along the Southern U.S., allowing for colder and wetter conditions with greater snowfall. The opposite phase, La Niña, keeps the jet stream further north, thus winters are warmer and drier across Georgia.

Spring
Weather during springtime in North Georgia and the mountains changes from day to day and year to year. Early spring in the North Georgia Mountains can be very chilly during the day; average highs are near 62 °F (17 °C). The weather can be highly variable with temperatures ranging between 75 °F (24 °C) and 40 °F (4 °C). The rainiest time of the year is normally April, which can also be a windy month where daytime temperatures can rise to near 75 °F (24 °C) and evening temperatures fall to around 40 °F (4 °C).

Summer
Summers are hot and humid with temperatures in the afternoons that reach, on average, to near 90 °F (32 °C). Overnight lows fall to near 68 °F (20 °C) and there is usually an 8 °F (−13 °C) difference in temperature between the mountains and Atlanta. While humidity in North Georgia, especially in the mountains, can be high it is not as high as it is in South Georgia. Summer thunderstorms add to the humidity in the area by providing 4.5 inches (110 mm) to 5.5 inches (140 mm) of rain during the summer months.

Fall
Georgia's autumns are normally sunny and cool. September and October, the driest months of the year, qualify as "Indian Summer" weather with temperatures that are near 78 °F (26 °C) during the daytime. At night, the temperature drops to near 50 °F (10 °C). It is much cooler in November with an average high of 62 °F (17 °C) and low of 36 °F (2 °C). The first freeze of the year normally falls within November, except in the northern mountains, where it occurs in October.

Now that you know what our climate has to offer, contact us to find your perfect North Atlanta home. We specialize in the communities of Alpharetta, Milton, Roswell, Cumming, Johns Creek and Dunwoody Georgia.

The Mary Ellen Vanaken Team
Keller Williams Realty North Atlanta
5780 Windward Parkway, Suite 100
Alpharetta, Georgia 30005
www.northatlantaluxury.com

Climates of Georgia