Tuesday started off windy, warm and dry in metro Atlanta, but potentially severe storms will reach the area this evening through Wednesday.
Highs will climb to about 80 degrees for much of the area, and we’ll be under mostly cloudy skies.
That warm air will clash with cooler air that is moving in from the northwest as the jet stream dips further south over the next few days, Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said. That clash in temperatures is what will drive the potential for severe weather, with storms stretching from the Ohio Valley to the Gulf Coast.
The highest risk for severe storms is expected to stay over Ohio and Kentucky, according to the National Weather Service. But the threat for tornadoes can’t be ruled out in Georgia.
The first line of storms is expected to reach the metro between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. However, the stronger storms with the potential to become severe will arrive closer to midnight.
As of late Tuesday morning, the threat for severe conditions within metro Atlanta increased to a Level 3 of 5, meaning there is a 10% chance of a tornado developing within 25 miles of any given point. That threat will linger into Wednesday’s early morning hours.
Areas to the east of the metro are under a Level 2 risk, meaning people in those locations have a 5% chance of seeing a tornado within that same radius.
Be advised: a strong overnight system will produce severe storms tonight. An updated Enhanced Risk (level 3 of 5) now includes portions of the Atlanta metro, Columbus & Macon. Damaging winds, isolated tornadoes, hail 1+ inches, & frequent lightning will be the primary threats. pic.twitter.com/Qlc0H7W9aB
— NWS Atlanta (@NWSAtlanta) April 2, 2024
“With severe weather, all the ingredients are kind of on the table here,” Monahan said. “With all that fuel and energy for storms — warm air, humid air and a cold front moving in — this front and the storms along it, aren’t gonna weaken very much.”
The main concern is damaging wind gusts, hail and the possibility of seeing a brief, spin-up tornado.
“We’re likely going to have some trees and powerlines come down, some power outages tonight,” Monahan said. “A good reminder during the day, charge those devices. Make sure they’re at 100% before these storms come in. You might lose power in your neighborhood tonight.”
The flooding risk remains low with this system, but any rain will be welcomed as metro Atlanta’s pollen count has been in the extremely high range for several days. It’s so high, in fact, that it is the third-highest count since Atlanta Allergy & Asthma began recording counts in 1991.
With a count of 8,740 for Tuesday, even those who do not suffer from allergies could experience irritation. Pollen counts enter the “extremely high” range when levels exceed 1,500.
“At these levels, patients with allergies, particularly to tree pollens, will experience symptoms and should take precautions,” Atlanta Allergy & Asthma warns.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
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