[UPDATE 3:30 p.m.]: A flash flood watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for most of North Georgia as heavy rain is forecast to move into the region Wednesday.
Rainfall of 1 to 2 inches is expected, with higher amounts in some areas, the NWS said. The counties under the watch, which lasts until 8 p.m. Wednesday, include north Fulton and Cobb in the metro Atlanta area.
Other counties included in the watch are Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Dade, Dawson, Fannin, Floyd, Forsyth, Gilmer, Gordon, Habersham, Hall, Haralson, Lumpkin, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Rabun, Towns, Union, Walker, White and Whitfield.
The risk for gusty wind, hail and isolated tornadoes Wednesday has increased, according to Channel 2 Action News. The Weather Service has categorized it as a Level 2 threat (out of 5), with most of Atlanta in the zone.
[ORIGINAL STORY]: Another chance of severe weather is in the forecast this week, but it could be North Georgia’s last one for a while.
The region has seen multiple rounds of strong storms in recent weeks, culminating in the system that brought a violent EF4 tornado to Coweta County on Friday. Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said things will turn quieter after the next chance of severe weather Wednesday.
“A bump in the road for weather tomorrow,” Monahan said. “We’ve got some rain moving in tomorrow, but not today. It should be a pretty nice spring afternoon in the mid- to low 70s.”
Tuesday should be a nice afternoon to enjoy the outdoors with only a slight chance for a stray shower in the forecast, he said. Atlanta is expected to make it to a high of 74 degrees under a partly cloudy sky.
A cold front arriving Wednesday morning will provide the opportunity for more widespread rain and thunderstorms. Monahan said he only expects a few showers for the morning drive, but the chance for storms increases for the drive home from work as the front approaches metro Atlanta.
Once it passes, North Georgia will dry out again, he said. Thursday will be much cooler with overnight lows in the 30s and a projected high of only 51 degrees, according to the latest forecast.
“It’s going to be a lot cooler, but we’re going to have sunshine,” Monahan said.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Pavement is dry in metro Atlanta on Tuesday morning, but there are some extra delays on the Southside because of lingering construction, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.
Crews were beginning to clear the barrels on I-75 North past Ga. 138 at 6:30 a.m. Southside commuters can use I-675 while there are still heavy delays in the area, the Traffic Center reported.
» 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.
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