Atlanta (KATL) Temperature Market Guide
KATL • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
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Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (KATL) offers temperature prediction markets on Kalshi, ForecastEx, and Polymarket. As the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic, KATL sits in the Piedmont region of Georgia where continental and subtropical influences create dynamic weather patterns. Understanding Atlanta's position between the Appalachian foothills and the coastal plain is essential for successful trading.
Quick Facts
| Station Code | KATL |
|---|---|
| Location | Atlanta, GA |
| Coordinates | 33.6304°N, 84.4221°W |
| Elevation | 1,027 ft (313 m) |
| Timezone | ET (America/New_York) |
| NWS Office | Atlanta (FFC) |
| Resolution Source | NWS CLI Report ↗ |
About the KATL Weather Station
The KATL ASOS is located at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Clayton County, approximately 10 miles south of downtown Atlanta. At 1,027 feet elevation, it sits on the Georgia Piedmont plateau.
The airport's massive size and extensive paved surfaces create significant local heat island effects. However, its location south of the urban core means it may experience slightly different conditions than downtown Atlanta, particularly during summer afternoon thunderstorms that often form over the city.
The airport's massive size and extensive paved surfaces create significant local heat island effects. However, its location south of the urban core means it may experience slightly different conditions than downtown Atlanta, particularly during summer afternoon thunderstorms that often form over the city.
Atlanta Climate & Temperature Patterns
Atlanta experiences a humid subtropical climate (Koppen: Cfa) with hot, humid summers and mild winters. The city's elevation provides some relief from the more intense heat of lower-lying Southern cities.
Key Climate Factors:
Piedmont Position: Atlanta sits at the transition between the Appalachian foothills and the Atlantic Coastal Plain. This creates interesting dynamics as weather systems interact with the terrain.
Urban Heat Island: Atlanta's sprawling metropolitan area generates significant urban heating. The airport can be several degrees warmer than surrounding rural areas, especially at night.
Afternoon Thunderstorms: Summer features frequent afternoon thunderstorms that develop from daytime heating. These can rapidly cool temperatures by 15-20°F.
Cold Air Damming: In winter, cold air can become trapped against the Appalachians to the north, keeping Atlanta temperatures lower than surrounding areas.
Key Climate Factors:
Piedmont Position: Atlanta sits at the transition between the Appalachian foothills and the Atlantic Coastal Plain. This creates interesting dynamics as weather systems interact with the terrain.
Urban Heat Island: Atlanta's sprawling metropolitan area generates significant urban heating. The airport can be several degrees warmer than surrounding rural areas, especially at night.
Afternoon Thunderstorms: Summer features frequent afternoon thunderstorms that develop from daytime heating. These can rapidly cool temperatures by 15-20°F.
Cold Air Damming: In winter, cold air can become trapped against the Appalachians to the north, keeping Atlanta temperatures lower than surrounding areas.
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Open Live DashboardSeasonal Trading Considerations
Winter (December - February):
Mild with average highs in the upper 40s to mid-50s°F. Cold air outbreaks can bring freezing temperatures and occasional ice storms when Gulf moisture overruns cold surface air. Snow is rare but possible.
Spring (March - May):
Severe weather season with potential for tornadoes and damaging thunderstorms. Temperatures climb rapidly from the 60s to 80s°F. Day-to-day variability is high.
Summer (June - August):
Hot and humid with average highs in the upper 80s to low 90s°F. The "ring of fire" pattern features afternoon thunderstorms that often initiate over the urban heat island. These storms can prevent temperatures from reaching expected highs.
Fall (September - November):
Pleasant with gradually cooling temperatures. Tropical systems can occasionally affect Atlanta with heavy rain and cooler conditions. First frost typically arrives in November.
Mild with average highs in the upper 40s to mid-50s°F. Cold air outbreaks can bring freezing temperatures and occasional ice storms when Gulf moisture overruns cold surface air. Snow is rare but possible.
Spring (March - May):
Severe weather season with potential for tornadoes and damaging thunderstorms. Temperatures climb rapidly from the 60s to 80s°F. Day-to-day variability is high.
Summer (June - August):
Hot and humid with average highs in the upper 80s to low 90s°F. The "ring of fire" pattern features afternoon thunderstorms that often initiate over the urban heat island. These storms can prevent temperatures from reaching expected highs.
Fall (September - November):
Pleasant with gradually cooling temperatures. Tropical systems can occasionally affect Atlanta with heavy rain and cooler conditions. First frost typically arrives in November.
Atlanta-Specific Trading Tips
Track Afternoon Thunderstorm Development: Summer afternoon storms are the biggest wild card for Atlanta temperatures. Early or widespread storm development suppresses highs; late or missed storms allow temperatures to climb.
Watch for Cold Air Damming: During winter, check for northeast surface winds indicating cold air damming. This can keep temperatures 10-15°F colder than models suggest.
Urban Heat Island Timing: The airport's urban environment means temperatures can remain elevated into evening hours. Daily highs often occur between 3-5 PM.
Tropical System Impacts: Remnants of tropical systems occasionally affect Atlanta, bringing clouds and rain that suppress temperatures well below normal.
Watch for Cold Air Damming: During winter, check for northeast surface winds indicating cold air damming. This can keep temperatures 10-15°F colder than models suggest.
Urban Heat Island Timing: The airport's urban environment means temperatures can remain elevated into evening hours. Daily highs often occur between 3-5 PM.
Tropical System Impacts: Remnants of tropical systems occasionally affect Atlanta, bringing clouds and rain that suppress temperatures well below normal.
Market Resolution Details
Atlanta temperature markets resolve based on the official high temperature in the NWS CLI for station KATL, issued by the Peachtree City, GA forecast office (FFC).
Resolution Source: NWS CLI (Climatological Report)
Reporting Period: 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time. During Daylight Saving Time, this corresponds to 1:00 AM to 12:59 AM EDT.
CLI Timing: The final CLI for the previous day is typically issued in the morning hours.
Resolution Source: NWS CLI (Climatological Report)
Reporting Period: 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time. During Daylight Saving Time, this corresponds to 1:00 AM to 12:59 AM EDT.
CLI Timing: The final CLI for the previous day is typically issued in the morning hours.
Data Release Schedule
Typical release times for key data products at KATL. Times shown in UTC.
| Data Type | Typical Time (UTC) | Variability |
|---|---|---|
| CLI Report Daily climatological summary |
09:30 UTC | ±5 min |
| 24hr High METAR with max temp |
04:52 UTC | ±2 min |
| METAR Hourly observations |
Hourly at :52 | ±0 min |
| DSM #1 Daily summary message |
20:17 UTC | Issuance time |
| DSM #2 Daily summary message |
00:07 UTC | Issuance time |
| DSM #3 Daily summary message |
20:17 UTC | Issuance time |
| DSM #4 Daily summary message |
20:19 UTC | Issuance time |
| DSM #5 Daily summary message |
00:08 UTC | Issuance time |
6-Hour High/Low Reports
These METARs include 6-hour maximum and minimum temperatures, useful for tracking intraday temperature trends.
05:52 UTC
11:52 UTC
17:52 UTC
23:52 UTC
Note: Times are approximate and may vary. CLI reports are the official resolution source for temperature markets. See NWS Data Guide for more information.
Data Resources
Quick links to official data sources and tools for Atlanta.
📊 NWS Data
🗄️ Iowa Environmental Mesonet
📈 Wethr.net Tools
Forecasting Challenges
Convective Uncertainty: Predicting the exact timing, location, and coverage of summer thunderstorms is extremely difficult. Small changes can mean the difference between a 95°F day and an 85°F day.
Cold Air Damming: Models often struggle to accurately predict when cold air will become dammed against the mountains and how long it will persist.
Urban Effects: The urban heat island can amplify temperatures beyond what regional models predict, especially during stagnant weather patterns.
Cold Air Damming: Models often struggle to accurately predict when cold air will become dammed against the mountains and how long it will persist.
Urban Effects: The urban heat island can amplify temperatures beyond what regional models predict, especially during stagnant weather patterns.
Historical Temperature Records
Record High: 106°F recorded in June 2012 and July 1980.
Record Low: -8°F recorded in January 1899.
90°F+ Days: Atlanta averages about 45-50 days per year at or above 90°F.
100°F+ Days: Relatively rare, averaging only 1-2 per year, typically during exceptional heat waves.
Record Low: -8°F recorded in January 1899.
90°F+ Days: Atlanta averages about 45-50 days per year at or above 90°F.
100°F+ Days: Relatively rare, averaging only 1-2 per year, typically during exceptional heat waves.
📡 Official Data Sources
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