GA Weather: High Fire Risk Due To Dry Conditions, NWS Says

GEORGIA — The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement for north and central Georgia over concerns that dry conditions that could allow fires to quickly spread on Thursday.

Much of central and southern Georgia is experiencing abnormally dry conditions, with several counties classified as in a moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Relative humidities of 25 percent or less can be expected for four or more hours this afternoon into the evening. Winds will be light, generally east to southeast at 5 to 10 mph.

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

Communities included in the special weather statement are: Floyd, Bartow, Cherokee, Forsyth, Hall, Polk, Paulding, Cobb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Barrow, Clarke, Oconee, Douglas, DeKalb, Newton, Fayette, Clayton and more.

Here's the NWS forecast for the Atlanta region for the next few days:

Thursday Afternoon: Sunny, with a high near 78. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 79. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.

Sunday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.