GA Weather: Fire Danger In Effect, Storms To Pummel East Coast

GEORGIA — While East Coast storms could impact travel this weekend in Georgia, the National Weather Service has issued a fire danger statement for portions of the Peach State.

According to the weather service's Peachtree City office, high fire danger conditions will flare up Friday afternoon for portions of north and north central Georgia due to low relative humidity levels. The statement includes metro Atlanta counties and will remain through 7 p.m.

Relative humidity levels of 25 percent or lower is anticipated for at least four hours Friday afternoon into the evening, the weather service said. Winds could travel from the northeast at 8-12 mph.

"With dry fuels, high fire danger conditions can be expected. Please refer to your local burn permitting authorities whether you may burn outdoors. If you do burn outside, use extreme caution," the weather service said in the statement.

AccuWeather on Friday said dry conditions in the south are due to high pressure stretching from the Carolinas to New England. Dry conditions are expected to last until Saturday.

Furthermore, at the the heels of potentially hazardous storms to batter the East Coast starting Saturday, some of the rainfall is expected to seep into parts of Georgia.

The weather service is predicting heavy rainfall, isolated thunderstorms and gusty winds Sunday into Monday due to a low-pressure system. Localized flash flooding could occur due to rises in creeks and streams in areas of heavy rainfall.

AccuWeather predicted Wednesday the storm system could threaten lives and property along the Florida coast while the weather service told Patch any metro Atlanta showers could position themselves north of the system.

The weather service said Friday the strongest wind gusts could flow in Sunday and Monday.

The storm system should usher in warmer air from the southern region, and as it forms over the east portion of the Gulf of Mexico, parts of the Southeast will feel the impact, AccuWeather reported.

Downpour consisting of heavy rain, severe thunderstorms and coastal flooding is possible Friday night into Saturday night, AccuWeather reported.

As it moves northward along the East Coast, rain is predicted to travel across the mid-Atlantic by Sunday and into England by Sunday night, AccuWeather reported.

Airport travel will be a concern through the weekend into early next week while interstates 20, 40, 64, 80, 81, 84 and 95 could be affected, AccuWeather reported.

"Ripple effects could also be felt at airports all across the country, with delays incurred at big hubs in Eastern cities like Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C.," AccuWeather reported.

Here is the forecast for metro Atlanta as of 10 a.m.:

Today: Sunny, with a high near 57. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 40. East wind 5-10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 4 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. East wind 10-15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Saturday Night: Showers, mainly after 8 p.m. Low around 47. East wind 10-15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Sunday: Showers, mainly before 2 p.m. High near 55. Northeast wind 10-15 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers before 8 p.m., then a slight chance of rain between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 30.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 47.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56.