Tornado, Hail Risk Moves Into GA: See Latest Forecast

Forecasters say a line of severe storms is set to batter Georgia the latter part of the week, potentially bringing hail, heavy winds and a tornado.

AccuWeather reported hundreds of severe storms are expected in almost two dozen states this week, including in Georgia.

The storms have been producing massive hail the size of grapefruit and baseballs, tornadoes and damaging wind gusts, according to the private weather service.

“This setup is on track to produce the most widespread and impactful severe weather outbreak so far this year,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Courtney Travis said in the forecast. “The overlap of strong winds aloft, abundant moisture from the Gulf and sharp temperature contrasts creates an environment supportive of tornadoes, damaging wind gusts and large hail."

The storms have begun shifting South and are expected to arrive Wednesday night in Georgia, according to AccuWeather.

Atlanta was one of several major metros across the U.S. that may feel severe weather impacts, AccuWeather reported.

The National Weather Service advised heavy rainfall could pour into metro Atlanta after 4 a.m. Thursday though a front could arrive sometime after 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Hazards include quarter-size hail, up to 60 mph damaging winds and a brief tornado.

AccuWeather cautioned against localized flooding, travel disruptions and locally severe thunderstorms Thursday in the entire state of Georgia and other parts of the Southeast.

"Any rainfall that does not cause flooding will be beneficial for most areas in the Southeast, given the long-running drought. The upcoming rainfall will also help to ease the spring wildfire risk," the private weather service reported.

Clear skies may prevail by nightfall before storms return Sunday in Georgia, according to the NWS hazardous weather outlook.

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

This Afternoon: Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 4 a.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 46. Southwest wind 5-10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 10 a.m., then a slight chance of showers between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 57. Northwest wind 15-20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 39. North wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 65. Southeast wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 75.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54.

Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.

Sunday Nigh: tA chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Monday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

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

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.