Near Record-Breaking Heat Hits Atlanta as Spring Begins

Temperatures soar to near 119-year-old record as dry spell continues across North Georgia

Mar. 20, 2026 at 10:35am

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After a week of severe storms and winter-like temperatures, North Georgia is experiencing a warm-up that will bring near record-breaking heat this weekend as spring officially arrives. Temperatures are forecast to reach 86°F on Sunday, just shy of the 87°F record set in 1907.

Why it matters

The sudden shift to unusually warm weather for this time of year is an early sign of the potential impacts of climate change, with spring temperatures arriving earlier and summer-like heat becoming more common. The dry conditions also raise concerns about drought and wildfire risk as the region heads into the warmer months.

The details

Temperatures will climb to 76°F today, nearly 10 degrees above the seasonal average, as a southwest wind pushes out the chilly morning air. The real heat arrives on Sunday, with a forecasted high of 86°F - just one degree shy of the 119-year-old record set in 1907. Aside from a slight chance of showers in the North Georgia mountains on Saturday evening, the metro Atlanta area is expected to remain dry through next Thursday.

  • Spring officially begins today (March 20, 2026).
  • Sunday's forecasted high of 86°F is nearing a 119-year-old record set in 1907.
  • The warm-up and dry spell are expected to continue through at least next Thursday.

The players

North Georgia

The region experiencing the record-challenging heat and dry conditions as spring arrives.

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The takeaway

This early spring heat wave is a stark reminder of the changing climate and the need to prepare for more extreme weather events and temperature swings in the years ahead. As the region heads into the warmer months, residents and officials will need to closely monitor drought conditions and fire risks.