Cold Temperature Products
The National Weather Service Atlanta office issues two sets of cold temperature related products. One set is for alerting the public about cold temperatures or wind chills that could pose a health risk, such as hypothermia and frostbite. The other set (frost/freeze) is for alerting gardeners and growers that action may be needed to protect vulnerable vegetation from potentially harmful cold temperatures.
NWS Cold Temperature Products
The National Weather Service Atlanta office issues the following official cold temperature related products based on the apparent temperature (or wind chill) forecast and specific county criteria that can be found here or on the maps below.
Extreme Cold Warning - issued up to 24 hours in advance when there is high confidence (>80% chance) of either temperatures or wind chill meeting the criteria as shown in the map below on the left.
Extreme Cold Watch - issued up to 48 hours in advance when there is medium confidence (>50% chance) of either temperatures or wind chill meeting the criteria as shown in the map below on the left.
Cold Weather Advisory - issued up to 24 hours in advance when there is high confidence (>80% chance) of either temperatures or wind chill meeting the criteria as shown in the map below on the right.
NWS Frost/Freeze Products
The National Weather Service Atlanta office issues official frost and freeze related products based on the temperature forecast during the growing season.
Freeze Warning - issued up to 24 hours in advance when there is high confidence (>80% chance) of minimum temperatures at or below 32°F during the growing season.
Freeze Watch - issued up to 48 hours in advance when there is medium confidence (>50% chance) of minimum temperatures at or below 32°F during the growing season.
Frost Advisory - issued up to 24 hours in advance when there is high confidence (>80% chance) of a significant frost with minimum temperatures of 33°F to 36°F during the growing season.
Earliest, Latest and Average First Freeze Dates for North and Central Georgia
The average first freeze date, where the minimum temperature is 32°F or less, varies from mid-October across northeast Georgia to mid-November across central Georgia. The first freeze though has occurred as early as September and as late as December. Per a request from our agricultural partners, our frost freeze program will last until November 20th or when a county experiences a widespread hard freeze for several hours (28°F or less).
Average First Freeze Dates
First Freeze Dates
Earliest Occurrence
Latest Occurrence
Average
Athens
September 24, 1928
December 6, 1978
November 7
Atlanta
October 11, 1906
December 18, 1998
November 13
Columbus
October 21, 1989
January 4, 1932
November 17
Macon
October 14, 1988
December 26, 1918
November 11
Note: The dates in the table are from the threaded climate data sites.
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