WEATHER-TRAFFIC: Atlanta gets a break in the rain before possible severe weather

Some parts of the city might even see some breaks of sun, Monahan said.

By the end of the day, Monahan expects most areas will receive 1 to 2 inches of rainfall. While heavy rain will be a common factor for all of North Georgia, not every area has the same risk of severe storms Thursday.

The National Weather Service has downgraded the threat for metro Atlanta and areas to the south to a Level 2 of 5. The mountains are under a Level 1 threat, according to the Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center.

The location of any severe weather largely depends on an approaching warm front that will provide a surge of energy for the second wave, Channel 2 meteorologist Brad Nitz said.

Warmer, more unstable air over parts of Florida and Louisiana will eventually make its way toward North Georgia this afternoon, he said. The farther north the warm air gets, the higher the risk for severe weather in any location.

Generally, Nitz said the risk of tornadoes and damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph is moderate, while there is a lower risk for large hail.

The tornado threat remains highest for those along and south of I-20, Monahan said. There is a low risk of tornadoes beginning at 5 p.m., and it increases through the early evening hours.

“Along and south of this front, especially through the Southside, we'll have scattered strong and severe thunderstorms developing as we head into the late afternoon and the early part of the evening,” Monahan said.

He is encouraging all of North Georgia to have a severe weather plan ready. The best place to ride out a storm is the lowest level of your home away from any windows.

“You want to put as many walls as possible between you and the outside,” Monahan said.

The last wave of rain and possible storms is expected Thursday night as a cold front moves into northwest Georgia. According to Channel 2, a few isolated severe storms are possible in advance and along the front into the late-night hours.

Once the front moves away, North Georgia will get a chance to dry out as things quiet down overnight. Clouds should increase through the day Friday, but meteorologist Eboni Deon said there is no chance of rain.

“We'll end up with some sunshine and a much quieter end to the work week,” she said.

There is another 40% chance for showers and storms Saturday, but the second half of the weekend should be dry and cooler with afternoon highs in the upper 60s, according to the latest forecast.

Volume on the interstates remains lighter than normal with fewer cars on the roads amid a statewide stay-at-home order. There are no major delays at midday, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

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