After a night of strong storms, North Georgia’s heat wave continues Thursday with highs in the upper 90s.
Atlanta should make it up to 97 degrees Thursday afternoon, but it will feel more like 104 with high humidity in place, according to Channel 2 Action News. A heat advisory is scheduled to go into effect at 11 a.m.
Channel 2 Action News
Channel 2 Action News
“The heat index by 3 p.m. rises to the triple digits and stays there,” Channel 2 meteorologist Jennifer Lopez said. “Unless you find a few thunderstorms, that’s where we could find some cooler temperatures around.”
There is another chance of showers and storms in the forecast Thursday, but Lopez said they should be isolated with a 30% chance of development. The best chance for rain is after 4 p.m., she said.
Channel 2 Action News
Channel 2 Action News
Storms Wednesday brought down trees and powerlines south of Atlanta and caused widespread power outages in the Peachtree City and Newnan areas. Hail with a diameter of 1.25 inches was reported.
In Fayette County, a tree crushed a house on Tower Road as severe thunderstorms moved through between 6 and 7 p.m. It was not clear if anyone inside was injured.
Lopez said Thursday’s storms should not be as strong or numerous.
“Come 5, 6 p.m. tonight, we may start to notice a few isolated showers just northwest of Atlanta, near Lake Lanier, and then we will have to see if those kind of work their way down toward Atlanta,” she said.
The intense heat is a better bet. Atlanta is starting Thursday in the upper 70s, well above the 60s typically seen this time of year. Lopez said temperatures and heat index values will rise quickly, and by 10 a.m. it will already feel like 88 degrees outside.
The city has another chance to tie or break the heat record Thursday. The record for this date is 98 degrees set in 1936.
“It’s going to be hot today, hot tomorrow,” she said. “Some relief is coming our way by the end of the weekend, with just a lower number in the forecast. Until then, try to stay cool.”
Channel 2 Action News
Channel 2 Action News
Change is coming in the form of a cold front that will also bring more widespread rain Friday, Lopez said. After one more afternoon in the upper 90s, humidity should drop Saturday and temperatures are expected to top out at 92 degrees in Atlanta.
On Sunday, there is no chance of rain and the projected high is just 90 degrees. If that still doesn’t sound appealing, the start of fall is less than 100 days away.
» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.
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