Weather Alert: High Fire Danger and Freeze Warning issued for Wednesday and Thursday

Update

Winter is not quite done with us yet and another freeze warning has been issued for overnight tonight, Wednesday, March 15 to 10 a.m. Thursday, March 16. Freezing temperatures are again expected during the overnight hours. It is not expected to get into the 20s as it did last night, but is still could drop below freezing in the early morning hours.

However, in advance of a cold night, a High Fire Danger Warning has been issued for Wednesday afternoon due to low relative humidities.

Relative humidities of 25 percent or less can be expected for 4 or more hours this afternoon into the evening. Winds will be northwest at less than 10 mph. The National Weather Service is warning that with dry fuels, high fire danger conditions can be expected. You are urged to refer to your local burn permitting authorities whether you may burn outdoors and if you do choose to burn outside you are warned to use extreme caution.

Initial story

Winter is not quite done yet. The National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Warning for much of north Georgia for overnight Tuesday, March 14 into Wednesday morning, March 15, 2023. The warning covers portions of central, east central, north central, northeast, northwest and west central Georgia, including Walton, Gwinnett and surrounding counties.

In addition, a Freeze Watch has now been issued for overnight Wednesday into Thursday. The Freeze Warning is in effect until 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 15 and the Freeze Watch remains in effect from Wednesday evening through Thursday morning, March 16.

FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO 11 AM EDT Wednesday… …FREEZE WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY EVENING THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING…

WHAT…Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 27 expected, with temperatures as low as 23 in the upper elevations of north Georgia.

The NWS reports:

• Sub-freezing temperatures in the mid-20s to lower 30s are expected. Walton County is predicted to get down to 29 degrees at some point overnight
• Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
• Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above- ground pipes to protect them from freezing.

The rain is expected to be out of here Sunday so it is unlikely for there to be a repeat of March 13, 29 years ago, when the area experienced the “Blizzard of 1993.”