ATLANTA (AP) — Forecasters are warning of dangerous wind child readings as the coldest weather in about a year is expected in Georgia.

The National Weather Service said the wind chill -- the combination of cold temperature and wind -- is expected to reach 8 degrees as far south as Cordele in south Georgia by early Thursday.

Wind chill readings of less than 5 degrees are expected in metro Atlanta by Thursday morning.

The Weather Service said that as an arctic air mass moves in, the coldest day will be Thursday.

Forecasters expect low temperatures Thursday morning to range from the single digits in parts of north Georgia to the teens and low 20s in other parts of the state.