Scattered Showers, Thunderstorms To Move Into GA: Latest Forecast

GEORGIA — Storms moving in from central Alabama arrived between 1-2 p.m. Wednesday in Georgia, pushing from the west to the east, with additional waves of rain predicted through the weekend and possibly early next week.

This week's forecast has been tricky to follow and continues to be updated, Meredith Wyatt, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Peachtree City office, told Patch.

Wednesday morning was active throughout the state with about 2-2.5 inches of rain falling, mostly in areas from Columbus to Macon.

The afternoon hours should follow suit with scattered showers and strong to severe thunderstorms. This particular round of storms is expected to clear out around 5 p.m. before another wave from Alabama arrives overnight into Thursday, Wyatt said.

The risk for severe storms Wednesday for the metro area is a Level 2 out of 5.

"It's important to note that no matter what threat level you’re in, you want to make sure that you are prepared," Wyatt said.

She added there is potential for damaging wind gusts of up to 60 mph and a pinch of large hail. The threat for tornadoes has increased since earlier in the week, with the "better threat (occurring) south of the metro," Wyatt said, noting the threat is "certainly worth something keeping our eye on" in metro Atlanta.

Locally heavy rainfall can become another issue Wednesday in Georgia.

The behavior of the rain Wednesday afternoon will determine a more thorough overnight forecast, Wyatt said.

"What occurs overnight will depend on how things play out this afternoon," she said.

A localized flash flood could be a threat Thursday evening into Friday. The caution for a flash flood lessens through the Father's Day weekend for certain parts of Georgia.

Portions of central and west central Georgia are under a flood watch through Thursday evening due to excessive rainfall. Counties include Bibb, Bleckley, Crawford, Crisp, Dodge, Dooly, Houston, Jones, Monroe,Peach, Pulaski, Telfair, Twiggs, Wilcox, Chattahoochee, Harris, Lamar, Macon, Marion, Meriwether, Muscogee, Pike, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, Troup, Upson and Webster.

"Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas," the weather service said in its latest statement.

A tornado watch is in effect until 7 p.m. Wednesday for several south Georgia counties. Find the complete list here.

Rain chances are low Friday for the metro, with a 20-30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. There was no severe threat for Friday as of early Wednesday afternoon.

Saturday is looking to be another wet day with rain chances increasing to 40 percent with similar rain chances for Sunday.

As for temperatures, metro Atlanta is expected to be in the 80s through the weekend.

Juneteenth could be "a wet start to the work week as of now but could change," Wyatt said.

The rain forecast this week is constantly evolving, and she urges residents to be aware of their safe places. There are no warnings or watches as of early Wednesday afternoon, but Wyatt said a watch of some sort is "not out of the question."

"Be ready," she said. "Be prepared."

As of 2 p.m. Wednesday, a detailed daily forecast from the National Weather Service follows (Patch will update this report when the forecast updates):

This Afternoon: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Southwest wind 10-15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 2 a.m. Low around 66. Southwest wind 5-15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. West wind 5-10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Friday night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.

Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.

Saturday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Sunday: A chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 8 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Sunday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Monday, Juneteenth: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Monday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.