Atlanta, GA: When to Go and Weather

Weather: Atlanta is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountain range in northern Georgia. The mountains block the passage of cold winds from the north, producing mild winters, and the nearby Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean bring humidity to the city. Atlanta weather can be categorized into four seasons, though there's less variation among the seasons than in many other parts of the US.

Summer: Summer in Atlanta brings hot, sticky weather: the temperature hits 90 degrees F before noon on many days in July and August. The average temperature is 80 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 4.5 inches.

Fall: Autumn in Atlanta is dry and comfortable, with frequent sunshine. Occasionally, tornados hit the area in association with afternoon thunderstorms, but in general, Atlanta weather is pretty and appealing to tourists during September, October, and November. The average temperature is 67 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 3.8 inches.

Winter: Cold weather is relative in Atlanta: though the temperatures may seem chilly to locals, visitors from other parts of the country will find Atlanta weather more than pleasant during this season. Overnight, temperatures can drop as low as 32 degrees F, but snow is unlikely. The average temperature is degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 4.6 inches.

Spring: March is the rainiest month of the year in Atlanta, averaging more than 5 inches of rain, and, as in fall, tornados can hit the area on stormy afternoons. But apart from the precipitation, March, April, and May bring temperatures that are warm, not hot, and therefore ideal for outdoor activities. The average temperature is 62 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 4.2 inches.

Local sources in Atlanta for up-to-date weather reports include WSBTV on cable and the Atlanta Weather Blog..

When to Go: Peak Season
Summer usually brings the highest number of visitors to Atlanta. Although it's often a little too hot to enjoy the city's outdoor attractions during the day, the temperatures cool off somewhat in the evening. During the most sweltering afternoons of July and August, visitors fill the city's air-conditioned museums and restaurants, meaning that you'll have to battle a crowd almost everywhere; on the plus side, if you can stand the heat, you can view the Martin Luther King Jr. monument (which is outdoors) in relative peace. Hotels are often filled to capacity on summer weekends, so be sure to book ahead.

When to Go: Off Season
Winter has long been Atlanta's off season, though it's actually not a bad time to visit the city. A cultural calendar of concerts, exhibits, and theatre productions is in full swing, and hotel rooms are less expensive than in summer. It rarely snows in Atlanta, but temperatures drop into the 30s at night, so you'll need to pack some warm clothes. The weather is usually warm enough for a stroll around town when the sun is out - and Atlanta doesn't receive such a high number of visitors in winter, so you'll enjoy sightseeing without a huge crowd.

When to Go: Shoulder Season
Spring and fall, Atlanta's shoulder seasons, bring a fair number of tourists to the city for sporting events, special museum exhibits, and general sightseeing. As you'd expect, hotel prices aren't as high as in summer, and the weather is generally more comfortable. But if you travel in spring, you must layer your clothes and come prepared for unpredictable showers, thunderstorms, even a tornado (they're not frequent, but a few are spotted every year.) Still, temperature-wise, it's the best time to take advantage of Atlanta's outdoor tennis courts, golf courses, hiking trails, and bike paths, as well as outdoor concert venues and public parks.

• Mon

   

  Drizzle

  53  45

• Tue

   

  Partly Cloudy

  61  46

• Wed

   

  Partly Cloudy

  63  40

• Thu

   

  Sunny

  58  36

• Fri

   

  Partly Cloudy

  49  34

• Sat

   

  Sunny

  54  35

• Sun

   

  Mostly Sunny

  59  40

Get more information on Atlanta weather.