Heavy rains douse Atlanta, but severe weather heads south of metro
After a bleak winter day, hours of soaking rains fell on much of metro Atlanta Monday night, and severe weather threatened Middle and South Georgia into the predawn hours Tuesday.
Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brad Nitz said about 10:30 p.m. that the roughest weather was likely to strike in areas southwest of metro Atlanta.
A tornado watch was issued for portions of South Georgia, including Albany, and was to remain in effect until 3 a.m.
Late Monday, a line of storms dumped what seemed to be endless rain on a metro region so recently parched by drought. Up to two inches of rain was recorded Monday.
By 5 a.m. Tuesday, the storms had largely passed, and the metro area will soon see lower temperatures. A high of 49 is forecast for Thursday; a high of 44 is expected on Friday.
With nearly daylong rain on Monday, a flood warning remained in effect until 7 a.m. Tuesday for counties just to the south of metro Atlanta, including Troup, Meriwether, Pike and Lamar.
Monday in metro Atlanta looked nothing like a holiday, with continual rain and patches of dense fog drifting across the region throughout the day.
Drivers were urged to remain alert, use low-beam headlights and leave extra distance between cars. Fortunately, the holiday Monday kept many people off the roads.
About the Author
Meris Lutz is a contributing writer covering climate, the environment and the economy. She is particularly interested in stories that explore the intersections between climate change and labor, markets, health, biodiversity, government transparency and public access to natural resources.
