[UPDATE 3:50 p.m.]: A series of flash flood watches have been issued for much of the state ahead of heavy rainfall that’s expected to move into the area Wednesday evening.
The National Weather Service has issued watches that include much of North and Middle Georgia, plus parts of South and east Georgia.
“Rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches with locally higher amounts over 2 inches are expected,” the NWS said. “Previous rounds of rainfall have kept soils wet and saturated, which will more easily allow for runoff and potential flash flooding.”
All three watches are in effect from 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday morning.
[ORIGINAL STORY]: North Georgia won’t have to wait for the sunshine Wednesday like it did the day before.
Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan is forecasting about seven hours of sunshine before clouds thicken up again Wednesday night.
“It’s going to be dry,” he said. “Dress in layers, and we’ll have plenty of sunshine. This afternoon we’re up to about 50 degrees. That is a good change from what we saw yesterday.”
Tuesday topped out at 45 degrees, but Atlanta spent much of the day in the 30s. Despite the afternoon warmup, Wednesday is starting out colder than the day before with morning lows in the teens and 20s.
It is the coldest start since late December, Monahan said.
Pavement temperatures are below freezing, which could contribute to slick spots on the roads, according to Channel 2. Several icy patches have been reported Wednesday morning in metro Atlanta.
Monahan said any wet pavement is not due to weather.
“It’s nothing that fell from the sky,” he said. “There was no rain overnight. No sleet, no snow, nothing like that. Pavement temperatures, though, are very cold.”
Rain moves back in Wednesday night. Monahan said an area of low pressure along the Gulf Coast is going to send plenty of moisture this way for a 90% chance of showers Thursday.
The Thursday morning commute will be a wet one, he said. According to Channel 2, it should stay warm enough that it will all fall as rain in metro Atlanta.
“But up in the mountains, overnight and tomorrow morning temperatures are going to get cold enough for a mix of some sleet, and snow and freezing rain,” Monahan said.
Ice accumulations up to a tenth-inch are possible in the mountains overnight. After a wet and cloudy day Thursday, Monahan said sunshine returns Friday.
“Your weekend forecast is looking pretty good across North Georgia,” he said.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.
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