NOAA Releases Summer Weather Forecast for GA, USA

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its summer seasonal forecast for Georgia on Thursday.

May 17, 2024, 11:09 a.m. EDT

GEORGIA — The summer forecast for Georgia is “leaning” toward above-normal temperatures this summer, according to a seasonal outlook recently released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Forecasters say conditions support high risks of above-normal temperatures across the Southern Plains, Gulf Coast and Southeast, a forecast that earlier seasonal forecasts also shared.

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Precipitation will likely be above normal each month from the Ohio Valley to the mid-Atlantic states, and south through the Carolinas, Georgia, and as far south as the Tampa Bay area in Florida.

Some meteorologists are talking about an “explosive” hurricane season in the Atlantic, which could affect Georgia. NOAA will release its outlook for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season on Thursday, May 23, and offer guidance on how the public can prepare for the hurricane season, which officially begins June 1.

The feeling of steam felt outside is determined by the heat index, which is calculated based on the temperature and humidity of the air. A heat index calculator is available at noaa.gov.

The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency said signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, weakness, cold, pale, clammy skin, a racing pulse and possible fainting/vomiting.

Heatstroke is a serious medical emergency that occurs when body temperature reaches 106 degrees or higher. Symptoms include hot, dry skin, a fast, strong pulse, and possible loss of consciousness. This more serious illness requires immediate medical attention.

Here are some tips to prepare for intense heat:

• Check that your home’s air conditioning system is working properly.
• Make sure your home is well insulated and that you have weather stripping around your doors and window sills to keep fresh air inside.
• Install window air conditioners comfortably; insulate if necessary.
• Check air conditioning ducts for good insulation.
• Install temporary window reflectors (to be used between windows and curtains), such as cardboard covered with foil, to reflect heat outward.
• Keep windows covered with temporary blinds, curtains or reflectors.

Here are some tips for dealing with extreme heat:

• Stay indoors as much as possible.
• Drink plenty of fluids and replace salts and minerals in your body.
• Limit your consumption of alcoholic beverages.
• Never leave children or animals alone in closed vehicles.
• Dress in loose, light, light-colored clothing that covers as much skin as possible. Protect your face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
• Spend time in air-conditioned places. If you cannot afford an air conditioner, spend time each day in an air-conditioned environment such as a public library, shopping mall, or other indoor public spaces.
• Check on family, friends and neighbors who don’t have air conditioning.
• Never leave children or animals alone in closed vehicles.

Georgia has a 40 to 50 percent chance of experiencing “above normal” precipitation this summer.

Here is the National Weather Service forecast for the Atlanta area for the next seven days:

Friday: Showers and possibly thunderstorms. High near 73. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. The probability of precipitation is 80%. Further precipitation is possible between a quarter and a half inch.

Friday night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 a.m., then risk of showers and thunderstorms between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., then probable showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 a.m. Low around 65. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. The probability of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts to between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible from thunderstorms.

SATURDAY: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 a.m., then showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. West wind 5 to 10 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%. Further precipitation is possible between a quarter and a half inch.

Saturday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. West wind around 5 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday: A slight risk of showers and thunderstorms before 8 a.m., then a risk of showers between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., then a risk of showers and thunderstorms after 11 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. The chance of precipitation is 50%.

Sunday night: Risk of thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.

Monday evening: Generally clear, with a low around 62.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 84.

Tuesday evening: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.

Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.

Wednesday evening: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.

THURSDAY: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85.