Atlanta, Georgia – Headlights cut through a thick gray haze early Friday as dense fog settles across parts of north and central Georgia, creating hazardous driving conditions for morning commuters and holiday travelers.
Dense Fog Advisory and Affected Areas
According to the National Weather Service office in Peachtree City, areas of dense fog are developing mainly west of Atlanta and stretching across central Georgia. In several locations, visibility has dropped below one mile, with isolated pockets seeing even sharper reductions during the early morning hours.
Motorists traveling along I-20, I-85, and routes leading south toward Alabama are expected to encounter rapidly changing visibility. Fog is forecast to linger through the morning commute before gradually lifting later today.
Why Fog Is Forming This Morning
Metro Atlanta is seeing temperatures in the lower 60s, paired with calm winds and high moisture levels, a classic setup for fog formation. While skies remain mostly cloudy, rainfall is not the main issue. Instead, reduced visibility poses the greatest risk, especially in low-lying areas, near rivers, and along rural roadways where fog can thicken without warning.
Travel Risks and Safety Tips
Drivers are urged to use extra caution during early travel hours. Officials recommend:
- Slowing down and avoiding sudden stops
- Using low-beam headlights, not high beams
- Increasing following distance
- Remaining alert on bridges, interchanges, and rural stretches, where fog often becomes densest
Pedestrians and cyclists should also remain cautious, as they may be harder to see in low-visibility conditions.
Weekend Weather Brings Unseasonable Warmth
Once the fog clears, conditions improve heading into the weekend. Saturday is expected to be mostly sunny with highs in the mid-70s, well above typical late-December temperatures. This warmer weather should help holiday travel across the region.
By Sunday, clouds increase and there is a slight chance of showers, mainly during the afternoon and evening. Temperatures remain mild, so any precipitation is expected to be rain rather than winter weather.
New Year’s Week Forecast and Temperature Shift
Looking ahead to New Year’s week 2026, rain chances rise on Monday, followed by a sharp cooldown. Overnight lows are projected to fall into the upper 20s by Tuesday night, raising the possibility of patchy frost in outlying and rural areas. While no snow is expected, the rapid transition from warm to cold conditions could surprise travelers early in the week.
Forecasters also note that fog could return on additional mornings when winds remain light and humidity stays elevated.
Five-Day Outlook for Atlanta, Georgia
- Today: Mostly cloudy, patchy fog early, high near 71°F
- Saturday: Mostly sunny and warm, high near 75°F
- Sunday: Mostly cloudy, slight chance of showers, high near 73°F
- Monday: Showers likely, high near 65°F
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny and cooler, high near 42°F
What to Watch Going Forward
Residents are encouraged to check updated forecasts and local road conditions before heading out, especially during early morning hours. Fog events like this can redevelop quickly when weather conditions align.
Seeing dense fog where you live this morning? Share how visibility looks on your commute in the comments below.
