With severe storms expected to hit Georgia late Wednesday, Gov. Brian Kemp urged state residents to make preparations for the threat of devastating weather.
Powerful wind gusts could reach 75 mph, while hail and isolated tornadoes are a possibility, according to Channel 2 Action News Chief Meteorologist Glenn Burns.
UPDATE [9:50 p.m.]: The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for a portion of northwest Georgia that was slated for a tornado watch earlier today.
Storm activity was also expected on the west side of the state about 100 miles south of metro Atlanta. Just before 5 p.m., NWS issued a tornado watch in Chattooga, Dade, Floyd and Walker counties just before 5 p.m. That storm watch was set to last until 11 p.m.
In southern Georgia, residents of Bainbridge reportedly witnessed tornado clouds moving through town just after 3 p.m., according to the city’s Public Safety department. The storm uprooted a tree, caused roof an sign damage and destroyed a fence Wednesday.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
UPDATE [5:10 p.m.]: NWS has issued a tornado watch for portions of northwest Georgia, north Alabama, and south Tennessee. The watch is in effect in areas of Georgia like Summerville and Rome until 11 p.m.
Most of metro Atlanta is at a level 2 threat, or slight risk, of severe storms, according to the NWS. Portions of Cobb County face a level 3 threat, which amounts to an elevated risk of severe storms.
ORIGINAL STORY: Metro Atlanta will continue to ride a heat wave Wednesday, adding some rain and storms into the mix as well.
Temperatures in the low 70s will near record highs this afternoon, according to Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Eboni Deon. A projected high of 72 degrees is nearly 20 degrees above average and would tie the record set on this date in 1984.
In some regards, Deon said Wednesday will feel a lot like the day before, which set a new record for heat with a high of 75 degrees. The difference is the addition of rain, and a threat of strong to severe storms arriving Wednesday evening.
“It’s another springlike day, so that part hasn’t changed, but we are trending a lot wetter this morning,” she said.
Light to moderate rain is already falling north and west of the city. Deon expects those downpours to make their way inside the Perimeter by 9 a.m., just in time for peak rush hour. With the wet weather system, wind is gusting up to 20 to 25 mph, according to Deon.
Ahead of it, Atlanta is starting the day cloudy and muggy with temperatures in the upper 60s. Morning lows are typically in the 30s this time of year.
“During the late part of the afternoon, we are going to get some breaks, maybe even see some sunshine break through those clouds,” Deon said. “That’s going to only increase the instability. By late this evening, we’ll have another round of rain and storms moving through, and that’s when our focus will change toward that potential for strong and severe storms.”
The National Weather Service has increased the severe threat level for metro Atlanta from a marginal Level 1 to a slight Level 2. Scattered strong to severe storms are possible, with damaging wind gusts, hail and isolated tornadoes being the primary threats.
“The further south and east you go, that threat level shifts down just one to Level 1 of five,” Deon said. “No matter where you are in North Georgia, stay weather aware.”
The region will not be done with the rain Wednesday. A 70% chance of rain is in the forecast through Saturday, according to Channel 2. With temperatures in the 70s expected, Deon said the atmosphere will remain unsettled all the way through the weekend.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
With rain falling in the northwest suburbs, roads are wet but there are so far no issues on I-75 or I-575, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center. Trip times on both interstates were holding steady at 6:30 a.m.
It’s also wide open on I-85 out of Gwinnett County, where pavement is dry to start the Wednesday morning drive.
“So far looking good on the roadways, but of course with wet pavement please slow down,” traffic reporter Mike Shields said. “Increase your distance between other vehicles.”
» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.
» For updated traffic information, listen to News 95.5 and AM 750 WSB and follow @ajcwsbtraffic on Twitter.
» Download The Atlanta Journal-Constitution app for weather alerts on-the-go.
