Thunderstorms Hit Georgia, May Return Later

ATLANTA, GA -- Severe thunderstorms that struck parts of middle and north Georgia Friday morning may return later in the day, according to the National Weather Service.

The service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for much of north and central Georgia and a tornado watch is in effect until 3 p.m. for central Georgia, mainly south and east of Columbus to Macon.

The morning's forecast called for severe thunderstorms throughout the area capable of producing damaging wind gusts and isolated tornadoes.

Early Thursday, there were reports of isolated flooding and lightning strikes hitting buildings in communities in and around Macon.

Georgia could be seeing more of the same later, too.

The weather outlook calls for strong to severe thunderstorms again late Friday afternoon and evening, as a cold front moves through Georgia.

The most likely area for the strong storms, the Weather Service said, was along and south of the Interstate 20 corridor.

Large hail and isolated tornadoes are again possible late Friday, the service said, and a flood watch remained in effect for much of north and central Georgia.

Atlanta's weather forecast calls for showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 4-5 p.m., with a 60% chance of precipitation.

Things should be clearing up pretty quickly after this, though.

The forecast for the weekend calls for clear and sunny skies, as does early next week's.