Warming centers opening as coldest air since March sets in

Metro Atlantans woke up to frigid temperatures Wednesday morning, and Thursday is expected to be even colder.

A freeze warning was in effect Wednesday morning and will be again Thursday from midnight to 10 a.m. Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 26 degrees are expected across much of the state, according to the National Weather Service. So again, make sure any pets or cold-sensitive plants have a warm place to spend the night.

Wednesday morning started off in the 30s, with some areas getting their first freeze of the season, Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said. That’s just a couple of weeks ahead of schedule, he said. On average, the first freeze typically falls on Nov. 16.

The last time Atlanta saw temperatures in the 30s was March 21, or 225 days ago, Monahan said. But with a northwestern breeze of about 12 mph, the wind chill is making it feel even colder — more like the 20s, so dress appropriately if you’re going outside.

“We’re back in the heavy coat, maybe some gloves, maybe a hat or scarf for the bus stop this morning because that wind is really strong,” Monahan said. “It’s gonna get chilly pretty quick.”

It will be bright and sunny throughout the day, but temperatures will stay cooler than average. The high will top out at about 54 degrees in the city, well below the average high of 69 degrees for this time of year.

By the evening, the breeze will have died down, so “we’re not gonna have as much of a wind chill overnight,” Monahan said, “but less wind also means the actual temperature can fall a little bit more. Many spots actually might be a little bit colder to start (Thursday) morning.”

Several cold shelters have been opened across the metro area.

In DeKalb County, warming centers have been opened at three fire stations starting at 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. The fire stations are in Avondale Estates, in Ellenwood and on Flat Shoals Road.

The city of Atlanta also plans to open a warming center at its Central Park Recreation Center at 8 p.m. Wednesday until 6 a.m. Thursday.

In Gwinnett County, warming stations are opening Wednesday at 6 p.m. until Thursday at 7 a.m. They are located in Buford, Snellville, Duluth, Lawrenceville and Norcross at senior centers, a gym and an activity building.

A warming center will be set up in College Park at the Publix Safety Complex on College Street. It will be open until 6 p.m. Thursday.

And MUST Ministries’ warming shelter in Cobb County is open through Saturday for those who arrive by 8 p.m. Those who stay in the shelter will receive dinner and breakfast.

The good news is that “these first cold shots of the year usually don’t last very long, and this one’s no different,” Monahan said. By the weekend, lows will stay in the 40s and highs in the 60s and 70s.