'Dirty High Pressure' Causes Rainfall, Hot Temps In Georgia

GEORGIA — A "fairly unsettled weather pattern" from the northwest is targeting several portions of Georgia this week, Laura Belanger, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Peachtree City office, told Patch Monday.

According to Belanger, rain chances will be on and off this week for the Peach State, which started Monday morning in north Georgia. Temperatures are also heating up statewide.

"This pattern is far more summer-like than in the past," Belanger said.

While the rain may not fully commit to the afternoon/evening hours, she said the highest chances for downpour fall into that timeframe.

Rain is possible through the entire week for metro Atlanta, though a reprieve is expected Wednesday.

Any rain Wednesday is anticipated to be confined to the southern portions of Georgia, with the possibility of rain for areas south of Interstate 20 near Columbus.

The possibility for thunderstorms and showers will return Thursday and Friday and should be manageable, Belanger said.

The wet weather this week is due to what Belanger called a "dirty high pressure," which occurs when the atmosphere transitions to summer-like temperatures.

"(This is a) weather pattern that is very moist and is very unstable, and that’s going to be contributing to the development of storms," she said. "It allows us to heat up to a point that invigorates that development."

Belanger said Georgia is "seeing weather modes that are similar to summertime and less like a line of thunderstorms," such as those during hurricane season.

Temperatures are as follows this week: low 80s Monday, 90 degrees for parts of south/central Georgia and highs of 87 for metro Atlanta Tuesday, around 83 degrees Wednesday, upper 80s Thursday and Friday and upper 80s to low 90s Saturday.

"These are the warmest temperatures we’ve seen so far this year," Belanger said.

Not a ton of strong storms are expected though they cannot be ruled out, she said. Potential hazards include lightning, heavy rain, strong winds and small hail. She said tornadoes are not anticipated as they are not favored in summer-like storms.

She urges people to take precautions, especially those who are outdoors. People should seek shaded areas, stay hydrated and practice water safety when swimming in rivers or pools.

Belanger said the weather service reported some fatalities around this time last year as people sought out cooling from the hot temps.

Children are encouraged to bring water to school to drink during recess, she said.

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