Early bird can salvage outdoor plans, avoid possible severe storms

A stormy weekend is in store for North Georgia, so those trying to make the most of Saturday and Sunday outdoors may want to get out early.

“(Saturday) is not going to be a total loss. If you’re getting up early ... you’re in pretty good shape with a mostly cloudy sky,” Channel 2 Action News chief meteorologist Glenn Burns said.

Overnight storms dissipated early, but isolated showers are expected to return to metro Atlanta after noon.

“We are expecting more scattered rain and storms to fire up as we get closer to the lunch hour,” Channel 2 meteorologist Eboni Deon said.

Those showers are expected to douse the North Georgia mountains and east Georgia. Atlanta should be spared from the worst of the rain until this evening.

All of North Georgia should get soaked by 10 p.m., however, when a wave of heavy storms moves across the state.

“If you’re not getting wet now, chances are you’ll have to deal with a storm or two before the day is done,” Deon said.

The rain will be fueled by the day’s heat, which should peak at 79 degrees in the city.

The late wave of storms is why there’s a Level 1 severe storm threat for all of North Georgia, Burns said. Isolated severe storms are possible,as well as 40- to 60-mph winds and heavy downpours.

A low level of threat, 1 on a scale of 1-5 Saturday. Isolated strong to severe storms are possible, mainly after midday.

I'll have the latest timing live on WSB-TV at 5 pm. pic.twitter.com/W6SIYiKSo7
— Brad Nitz (@BradNitzWSB) May 10, 2019

Needless to say, you don’t want to drive during a severe storm, so keep an eye on the forecast, especially Saturday evening if you plan on hitting the road for an extended period of time.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama is bringing her book tour to State Farm Arena this evening. The 8 p.m. event is sold out, so expect delays if you’re heading downtown around then.

MORE: Want sold-out Michelle Obama tickets at State Farm Arena May 11? You're going to have to pay up

Sunday is expected to start of similar to Saturday, with the early morning hours being the driest. But storms should linger for most of Mother’s Day.

Level 2 (scale 1-5) severe threat for Sunday, especially afternoon-early evening it appears.

I'll have the updated timing and threats live on WSB-TV at 5 pm. pic.twitter.com/M75kgBzdDs
— Brad Nitz (@BradNitzWSB) May 10, 2019

An incoming cold front has the potential to produce Level 2 severe storms south of I-85, Burns said. Anywhere north of the interstate is pretty much at the same severe storm risk as Saturday.

Sunday’s Level 2 threat means isolated tornadoes are possible, along with damaging winds, hail and lightning.

The entire weekend could see up to 4 inches of rain in some areas, namely Cherokee County, Forsyth County and the North Georgia mountains.

1-2 inch rainfall will be common, with isolated 3-4 inch totals in parts of our area through the weekend.

I'm tracking this live on WSB-TV now. pic.twitter.com/JNXN8KIFGo
— Brad Nitz (@BradNitzWSB) May 10, 2019

While it may sound dire, there’s no need to cancel any Mother’s Day plans, especially if they’re early in the day.