Tornado Possible With Severe GA Storms, Latest Forecast Says

An isolated tornado and up to 60 mph wind gusts may come with severe storms Saturday as Georgia continues a warm and moist weather pattern, forecasters told Patch Friday.

National Weather Service meteorologist Sam Marlow said the pattern is due to a jet stream, which he described as an overhead river of air comprised of ridges and dips.

A subtropical ridge traveling up and north of Georgia residents is pushing warm conditions into the state.

"We're moving a bunch of air from the Southwest Gulf and Texas," Marlow said. "Any little disturbance in the atmosphere that moves through when the area is warm and moist, that'll trigger storms."

He noted this does not mean tropical storms are in the works, but it does mean the possibility of daily rainfall through early next week.

The storms are expected to start after 3 p.m. Friday and continue through Thursday, according to the NWS' hazardous weather outlook.

A cold front is expected to arrive Saturday evening, possibly in the afternoon. Rain will follow with a line of storms forecast for central and north Georgia.

Wind gusts could range from 40-60 mph, triggering a Level 1 marginal risk for threats. In this wind range, Marlow said trees and power lines could topple.

Extremely small hail is also possible, and an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out in far northwest Georgia, Marlow said.

While storms are expected to continue Sunday and thereafter, there was no severe threat as of early Friday afternoon.

The NWS is also not anticipating a cooldown in Georgia's near future. By early next week, temperatures may reach highs of around 80 degrees. Marlow said some areas could experience near-record temperatures.

Here is the National Weather Service's Friday afternoon forecast for metro Atlanta:

This Afternoon: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. South wind around 5 mph.

Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind around 5 mph.

Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. South wind 5-10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 7 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Sunday: A chance of showers before 10 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Southwest wind 5-10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.

Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78.

Monday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 81.

Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.

Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 82.

Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.

Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 76.