Counties throughout the metro Atlanta area are finalizing plans to open the doors of their respective warming centers on Thursday in the wake of predicted weather drops.
Temperatures throughout metro Atlanta and North Georgia are expected to dip within the next week, with overnight lows dropping into the 20s.
The National Weather Service is forecasting rain starting this weekend and says cold air could bring a winter mix in the mountains — which is not expected to stick.
A secondary push of cold air is expected in the middle of next week, with daytime highs that will likely linger between 30 degrees and 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
During this period, the NWS is urging the public to let pipes and faucets drip, as well as to check on neighbors — especially the elderly.
Due to forecasted weather, Clayton, Cobb, Dekalb, Gwinnett and Fulton Counties have warming centers open to those in need.
For the City of Atlanta, the Central Park Recreation Center will be used as a warming center, with the Old Adamsville Recreation Center serving as an overflow location. The warming center is available to residents during the following dates and times:
- Thursday, January 2 at 8:00 p.m. – Friday, January 3 at 6:00 a.m.
- Friday, January 3 at 8:00 p.m. – Saturday, January 4 at 10:00 a.m.
- Saturday, January 4 at 8:00 p.m. – Sunday, January 5 at 10:00 a.m.
The city also states that transportation will be provided by Fulton County from the Gateway Center at 8:00 p.m. nightly, with return transportation upon deactivation.
Beginning on Wednesday, DeKalb opened several warming centers across the county, which are expected to close on Saturday, Jan. 4. Below are the following locations currently provided to residents.
- Frontline Response International, 2585 Gresham Road, Atlanta 30316.
- North DeKalb Senior/Community Center, 3393 Malone Drive, Chamblee, GA 30341
- Mason Mill Recreation Center, 1340 McConnell Dr.
- Exchange Recreation Center, 2771 Columbia Dr.
Each center opens at 8 p.m., with transportation accommodations to Frontline International provided by the county at various designated pickup spots.
Several Gwinnett locations, set to open whenever temperatures reach 35 degrees and below, will be available from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. The following locations are listed below:
In Clayton, beginning Thursday, a warming center will be created at The Clayton County Police Headquarters in Jonesboro, beginning at 11 p.m. The county states that if temperatures remain at or below 32 degrees, the center could continue to operate through Jan. 11, closing daily at 9 a.m.
For the next three days, the Hope House Shelter, operated by the Cobb-based MUST Ministries, will open at 8 p.m. Services are available for men, women, and children, with Cobb partnering with MUST to provide transportation for residents.
