Atlanta climate: weather by month, temperature, rain (2024)

The climate of Atlanta is humid subtropical, with mild and rainy winters, during which short cold spells can occur, and hot and muggy summers, with many hours of sunshine but also with rains and thunderstorms.
The city is located in the southeastern United States, 300 meters (1,000 feet) above sea level and the 33rd parallel north, and is the capital and main city of the state of Georgia.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 7.1 °C (45 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 27.2 °C (81 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 1,280 millimeters (50.4 inches) per year: it is therefore quite abundant. It ranges from 85 mm (3.3 in) in the driest month (October) to 120 mm (4.7 in) in the wettest ones (March, July). Here is the average precipitation.

The winter, from December to February, is mild. There are periods of good weather alternating with periods characterized by clouds and rains. Fog can form at night. Subtropical air masses can bring temperatures of 18/20 °C (64/68 °F) even in January.
However, intrusions of cold air from Canada can cause sudden drops in temperature and very cold periods, usually of short duration, in which the temperature can drop as low as -10/-12 °C (10/14 °F) and it can even snow. Snowfalls are generally not abundant, although in January 1940, snow depth reached 25 centimeters (10 inches).
Sometimes, the dangerous phenomenon of the "ice storm" (rain that freezes in contact with a cold ground) can also occur.
From 1960 to 2020, the cold record was -22 °C (-7.5 °F), recorded in January 1985.

The summer, from June to August, is hot and humid. There is the typical weather of the southern United States, even though the altitude slightly decreases the feeling of mugginess. There can be whole weeks without rain, but also periods when rains and thunderstorms are frequent, especially in the afternoon and evening.
On the hottest days of the year, the temperature typically reaches 36/37 °C (97/99 °F), however, occasionally there can be more intense heat waves.
The record is 41 °C (106 °F), set on June 30 and on July 1st, 2012.

Spring and autumn, from March to May and from September to November, are generally mild and sunny seasons. However, in the first half of March and in the second half of Novemberthere can be outbreaks of cold air.
In spring, there is a certain risk of tornadoes, although they are more frequent further to the west, in Mississippi and Alabama.
In late summer and autumn, instead, Georgia can be affected by hurricanes, although the state is affected less often than Florida and the Gulf of Mexico states. Furthermore, Atlanta is located in a relatively protected area, the one furthest from the sea.
Hurricane season runs from June to November, although the period in which they are most likely is from August to October.

On average, there are around 2,735 sunshine hours per year. The months in which the sun shines most often in percentage are April, May and October. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Best Time

To visit Atlanta you can choose spring and autumn, in particular, the months of April and May, and from mid-September through late October.

Atlanta - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.1 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 2 °C (35.6 °F) and a maximum of 12.2 °C (54 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -8 °C (17 °F). However, it dropped to -14.5 °C (5.9 °F) in January 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). However, it reached 25.6 °C (78.1 °F) in January 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).

February is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 9.2 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 3.8 °C (38.9 °F) and a maximum of 14.6 °C (58.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5 °C (22.5 °F). However, it dropped to -14.5 °C (5.9 °F) in February 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73.5 °F). However, it reached 26.7 °C (80.1 °F) in February 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).

March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.1 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 7.4 °C (45.3 °F) and a maximum of 18.8 °C (65.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (28 °F). However, it dropped to -8.9 °C (16 °F) in March 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (80.5 °F). However, it reached 31.7 °C (89.1 °F) in March 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 59%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).

April is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 17.3 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 11.4 °C (52.5 °F) and a maximum of 23.2 °C (73.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (36.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2.2 °C (28 °F) in April 2007.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84.5 °F). However, it reached 31.7 °C (89.1 °F) in April 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

May is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 21.8 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 16.3 °C (61.3 °F) and a maximum of 27.3 °C (81.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5 °C (41 °F) in May 2004.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89.5 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in May 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).

June is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 25.5 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 20.3 °C (68.6 °F) and a maximum of 30.6 °C (87.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C (59.5 °F). However, it dropped to 11 °C (51.8 °F) in June 1998.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94 °F). However, it reached 41.1 °C (106 °F) in June 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

July, the hottest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 27.2 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 22.1 °C (71.8 °F) and a maximum of 32.3 °C (90.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). However, it dropped to 15 °C (59 °F) in July 2014.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (95.5 °F). However, it reached 41.1 °C (106 °F) in July 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

August is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 26.8 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 21.8 °C (71.3 °F) and a maximum of 31.7 °C (89 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18 °C (64.5 °F). However, it dropped to 12.7 °C (54.9 °F) in August 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in August 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

September is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 23.8 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 18.8 °C (65.9 °F) and a maximum of 28.8 °C (83.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (53.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6.1 °C (43 °F) in September 2001.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92 °F). However, it reached 37.2 °C (99 °F) in September 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

October is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 18.1 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 12.7 °C (54.9 °F) and a maximum of 23.6 °C (74.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in October 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85 °F). However, it reached 36.7 °C (98.1 °F) in October 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).

November is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.3 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 6.8 °C (44.2 °F) and a maximum of 17.8 °C (64.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1.5 °C (29.5 °F). However, it dropped to -6.1 °C (21 °F) in November 2014.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (77.5 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in November 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

December is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 8.5 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 3.6 °C (38.4 °F) and a maximum of 13.4 °C (56.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (24 °F). However, it dropped to -11 °C (12.2 °F) in December 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (71.5 °F). However, it reached 26.1 °C (79 °F) in December 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 0 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).