Weather
Atlanta, GA Weather Oct. 17–21: 60s Climb Back to Mid-70s
Atlanta, GA — A sharp autumn cooldown will bring a dramatic temperature change to Atlanta this weekend, sending afternoon highs from the 80s Friday into the 60s Saturday before warmer weather graduall
By Owen Prescott · 2026-10-14T08:52:46.952Z
Atlanta, GA — A sharp autumn cooldown will bring a dramatic temperature change to Atlanta this weekend, sending afternoon highs from the 80s Friday into the 60s Saturday before warmer weather gradually returns early next week.
According to the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Atlanta is expected to reach 84 degrees Friday before temperatures fall to just 66 degrees Saturday. The 18 degree drop will mark a noticeable departure from the unusually warm conditions affecting portions of the Southeast this week.
The cooler weather will arrive alongside continued sunshine, giving residents a stretch of dry autumn conditions despite the significant temperature shift.
Weekend Cooldown Brings Nights in the 40s The transition begins Friday evening as temperatures fall toward 50 degrees overnight, following a warm afternoon with southwest winds of 5 to 15 mph and gusts reaching 25 mph.
By Saturday, Atlanta will experience considerably cooler conditions, with afternoon temperatures topping out near 66 degrees under sunny skies.
Saturday night will bring the coldest temperatures of the five day period, with clear skies and lows around 48 degrees.
Sunday will remain cool and sunny, with afternoon highs near 65 degrees before temperatures settle around 50 degrees overnight.
The change follows a broader national weather pattern highlighted by NOAA, which expects strong Canadian high pressure to bring substantially cooler air into the central United States late this week.
Although the national outlook identifies potential freezing temperatures farther north and west, the supplied Atlanta forecast keeps overnight lows well above freezing.
Sunshine Continues as Temperatures Recover The cooler weather will gradually ease as the new workweek begins.
Monday will bring mostly sunny skies and a high near 70 degrees, followed by partly cloudy conditions and an overnight low around 55 degrees.
By Tuesday, afternoon temperatures are expected to climb to approximately 74 degrees, restoring milder conditions after the weekend cooldown.
For Atlanta residents, the most noticeable change will be the contrast between Friday's summerlike warmth and the cooler weekend afternoons.
The National Weather Service forecast indicates no precipitation through Tuesday, offering several consecutive days of favorable conditions for outdoor activities across the city.
Five Day Weather Outlook: Oct. 17–21 Temperatures below represent the National Weather Service forecast for Atlanta, Georgia. Wednesday's outlook was not included in the supplied forecast.
Saturday, Oct. 17: Sunny and significantly cooler, with a high near 66°. Clear overnight, with a low around 48°. Sunday, Oct. 18: Sunny and cool, with a high near 65°. Mostly clear overnight, with a low around 50°. Monday, Oct. 19: Mostly sunny and warmer, with a high near 70°. Partly cloudy overnight, with a low around 55°. Tuesday, Oct. 20: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74°. Overnight temperatures were not provided.