Severe storms are expected to pound Georgia with frequent lightning, gusty winds and hail early this week, according to a Monday forecast.
The storm threat will continue until 10 p.m. Monday before returning Tuesday evening, according to the National Weather Service's Peachtree City office.
Towns in the central and eastern regions of Georgia are the focus of Monday's storms. These areas include Vidalia, Sandersville and Dublin.
Hail up to a dime size and wind gusts up to 60 mph may accompany the storms.
Thunderstorms were also predicted Monday afternoon and evening for metro Atlanta, though the severe risk remained low at Level 1 out of 5.
Metro Atlanta and north Georgia will also be in the path of Tuesday's storms, though the NWS stated it was not clear how far south the storms could travel. The severe weather may linger into the overnight hours.
Hail up to a quarter size, frequent lightning and up to 60 mph winds could hit with the storms.
Before more storms rush Georgia, a heat advisory is in place until 8 p.m. Monday due to expected heat indices of 105-109 degrees.
"Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses," the NWS forecast says.
The advisory will be re-issued for a majority of north and central Georgia for Tuesday afternoon and evening.
Updates will be posted on the weather service's Twitter page, the weather service's Facebook page and its website.
Here is the National Weather Service's Monday afternoon forecast for metro Atlanta:
This Afternoon: Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 99. Northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 103. West wind 5-10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. West wind 5-10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Northwest wind 5-10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 71.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 90.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 70.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89.
Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.
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