WEATHER UPDATE: Severe thunderstorm warnings issued for Cobb, Fulton

[Update 9:35 p.m.] A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for multiple counties in the metro Atlanta area, including Cobb, Fulton, Cherokee and Forsyth.

According to the National Weather Service, a line of storms in northeast Georgia is moving toward the metro area, bringing with it wind gusts up to 60 mph. The warnings are expected to last until 10 p.m.

Intermittent storms and pop-up showers were expected later Friday, but steady rain is not likely to hit Atlanta until Saturday evening. After Friday night’s storms, high heat and humidity are expected to return during the day Saturday.

Original Story: Friday will be another day for dangerous heat and the possibility of afternoon storms for North Georgia, according to Channel 2 Action News.

Meteorologist Eboni Deon said changes are coming to the region’s weather pattern, but they won’t get here in time to end the work week. Atlanta is headed for a projected high of 93 degrees today, although it will feel much hotter outside factoring in the humidity. Another 40% chance of a storm is in Friday’s forecast.

“Another hot, humid day with showers and storms developing,” Deon said. “We do have a heat advisory in place, so I do want you to keep in mind that it’s going to be a day to take it easy in the heat.”

Good Friday morning! It's going to be another hot one today! Highs in the lower to mid 90s but it will feel like 100°+. A heat advisory is in place for much of north GA from noon til 7PM. Stay hydrated and stay safe! pic.twitter.com/TCozX37EtE
— Eboni Deon, WSB (@EboniDeonWSB) July 8, 2022

The advisory is scheduled to take effect at noon and expire at 7 p.m. During the peak heating of the day, the National Weather Service expects heat index values to top out anywhere from 100 to 110 degrees.

Those planning to head out for lunch should also plan for the heat, Deon said. By noon, temperatures will be in the 90s, but it will feel more like 104 degrees around Rome and 100 in Atlanta, she said.

“That will continue to climb,” Deon said. “The feels-like temperature goes all the way up to 108 in Athens by the time we get into the 3 p.m. hour. It’s going to feel more like 104 in Atlanta.”

Deon suggests wearing light clothing, taking lots of breaks and drinking plenty of water. When temperatures reach the 90s outside, it can cause heat to rise quickly inside closed vehicles. Within the first 10 minutes, the air inside the vehicle could measure up to 109 degrees. After about an hour, it could get as high as 135 degrees.

“You want to make sure you are not leaving your kids nor your pets inside the car,” Deon said. “It’s just not safe in the kind of heat that we are going to be dealing with for yet another afternoon.”

Some areas will see relief in the form of afternoon storms, she said. It should stay mainly dry through about lunchtime, then rain chances increase and showers begin firing up. The storms will be scattered again Friday, Deon said, and some will come with heavy downpours, damaging winds gusts and frequent lightning.

All of North Georgia is under a Level 1 risk of severe weather Friday, which is the lowest risk level out of five, according to the Weather Service. Deon said it will be hard to pinpoint where storms develop this afternoon, so it will be important to stay weather-aware.

“Things settle down by later tonight, but there will still be that possibility of a shower or storm in the area at least through about 11 p.m. tonight,” she said. “You will need that umbrella through the weekend.”

Showers and storms will be more numerous Saturday and Sunday, but they will also be somewhat more predictable as a cold front arrives in North Georgia, according to Deon. By Sunday, that front is expected to drop temperatures back into the 80s.