Heavy rain pushes into North Georgia with severe storm threat slowly heading to metro Atlanta

11:30 P.M. UPDATE: Heavy rain was pushing into North Georgia late Saturday night.

The storms are part of “an incredibly slow-moving system,” said Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan, noting that some parts of Mississippi and Alabama received 5 to 6 inches of rain as the system crept toward Georgia.

In addition to the downpours that are expected to reach the metro area, strong wind gusts are also possible with the storm system, Monahan said. There’s also still a small risk of an isolated, brief tornado overnight.

Between midnight and very early morning Sunday, much of the system was expected to still be to the west of Georgia. After daybreak, Monahan said, is when metro Atlanta can expect to begin really feeling the storm system’s impact.

By the afternoon, cooler temperatures will prevail as the system should be to the east of the area. Highs will only reach the mid-50s in the afternoon and drop into the 30s by Monday morning.

• For the latest forecast, check out Channel 2 Action News at 6 a.m. for updates from Severe Weather Team 2.

10:30 P.M. UPDATE: Storms are moving into northwest Georgia tonight, Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said.

However, he noted that “the severe weather risk” is not as high for metro Atlanta and North Georgia as what’s occurred to the west of the state earlier today.

“All of us will have some heavy rain through tonight and on into tomorrow,” Monahan said Saturday evening.

Saturday’s weather story:

ATLANTA FORECAST

Today: Partly cloudy. High: 82

Tonight: Rain late. Low: 62

Tomorrow: Rain ending in afternoon. High: 70

» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.

People with outdoor plans in and around metro Atlanta had better get them in Saturday. The warm weather and clear skies during the day should give way to storms in the evening and into Sunday.

“Strong to severe” storms are expected to move into northwest Georgia about 6-7 p.m., Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said

“Another line of storms develops tomorrow.”

About 4 p.m., the temp was at 80 en route to a forecast high of 82.

That high would be about 10 degrees over the average for this date, and slightly higher than Friday’s top temp of 80.

When the rain arrives, it will bring the possibility of wind gusts, hail and brief, isolated tornadoes, according to Channel 2.

But the couple of waves of rain moving in are expected to bring cooler temps. Sunday’s high is expected to be 70, and Monday’s is at 58.

“As we move through the day (Sunday), it’ll be much cooler and the rain will be starting to clear out,” Monahan said.

A benefit of the coming rain is that it should wash some pollen from the air.

“If you are an allergy sufferer, you are really struggling right now,” Monahan said.

Saturday’s pollen count is expected to hit 3,217 particles per cubic meter of air, according to Atlanta Allergy and Asthma. Though that is lower than Friday’s 4,208, it’s still extremely high.

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Credit: Channel 2 Action News