WEATHER UPDATE: Tropical Storm Nicole’s outer rain bands reach metro Atlanta

The leading rain bands from Tropical Storm Nicole are moving into metro Atlanta at midday Thursday as the storm churns over central Florida.

Nicole made landfall at about 3 a.m. south of Vero Beach, Florida, as a rare November hurricane at Category 1 strength. It weakened to a tropical storm shortly after moving ashore and continues to lose steam, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph as of 1 p.m., according to the National Hurricane Center.

Tropical Storm #Nicole Advisory 14A: Center of Nicole Near the West Coast of the Northern Florida Peninsula. Strong Winds, Dangerous Storm Surge and Waves, and Heavy Rains Continue Over a Large Area. https://t.co/tW4KeFW0gB
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) November 10, 2022

The storm was moving west across the northern Florida Peninsula, dumping inches of rain, and is expected to curve back toward the northeast after reaching the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday night, according to the latest storm track predictions. Forecasters expect Nicole to weaken to a tropical depression over Georgia and pass to the east of Atlanta on Friday morning.

Early this morning, #Nicole made landfall as a hurricane -- the first U.S. November landfalling hurricane since 1985!

I'm tracking it's impact here later today -- now on Channel 2! @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/MpDG74JT4d
— Brian Monahan, WSB (@BMonahanWSB) November 10, 2022

Heavy rain is situated over southeast Georgia, where tropical storm and storm surge warnings and tornado watches remain in effect. In metro Atlanta, the clouds and strong wind associated with Nicole have already arrived, and rain is just getting started.

“This is all light stuff for now, but it’s going to pick up as we go through the afternoon and into the evening hours,” Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said of the midday showers, which dotted the Southside at lunchtime.

Wind gusts up to 30 mph were recorded in some areas, he said.

Credit: WSBTV Videos

Rain will become more scattered through the evening, Monahan said, starting on the Southside and moving into the heart of the city in time for the evening commute. The heaviest downpours are expected to hold off until late Thursday night and continue through the overnight hours.

Under the clouds and showers, Atlanta’s projected high is a comfortable 66 degrees.

ExploreSprawling Tropical Storm Nicole drenching Florida, Georgia

“If you’ve got outdoor plans, we’re OK for a lot of the day today,” Monahan said. “Just really a few showers through the daylight hours, and windy weather. Friday is an inside day.”

Monahan expects the remnants of Nicole’s center to approach North Georgia around sunrise Friday, and rain “is going to be coming down in sheets in spots.” The Friday morning commute could be a tough one, he said.

Wind hazards will go into effect this morning as Tropical Storm Nicole approaches from the southwest. For our portions of south and central Georgia A High Wind Warning is in effect with up to 50 mph winds possible. In north and central Georgia, a wind advisory is in place. #gawx pic.twitter.com/7ONkH0iqiq
— NWS Atlanta (@NWSAtlanta) November 10, 2022

With gusts up to 40 mph possible, a wind advisory went into effect at 10 a.m. Thursday and will expire at 7 a.m. Friday. Monahan said he would not be surprised to see some power outages, and 1 to 2 inches of rainfall are possible before all is said and done. Some areas could see as much as 3 inches of accumulation.

The soggy weather could dampen plans for Veterans Day ceremonies around metro Atlanta. In Marietta, the Kiwanis Club has canceled its parade scheduled for Friday at 11 a.m. because of the rain. It will not be rescheduled, according to city officials.

ExploreVeterans Day around Atlanta: Discounts, parades and more

The good news? The worst of Nicole’s impacts will come and go quickly, Monahan said, and conditions will improve in North Georgia by Friday afternoon. The region should dry out in time for a much cooler weekend.

“This time of year, when you get a tropical system, a lot of cold air comes in behind it, and that’s what’s going to happen this weekend,” he said, heralding the arrival of “the coldest air of the season.”

Monahan is calling for lows in the 40s on Saturday morning, and by Sunday morning parts of metro Atlanta could wake up to freezing weather. There is plenty of sunshine in the forecast, however, and highs in the 50s both days.