Damaging wind gusts, brief tornado and hail possible with GA storms

GEORGIA – A rainy week before a sunny weekend is in store for the Peach State.

The National Weather Service forecasts that precipitation in metro Atlanta is expected to begin after 4 p.m. Tuesday and could last through Friday.

Isolated or widely scattered thunderstorms could flood far north Georgia Tuesday afternoon, although weather officials said isolated strong or severe thunderstorms could not be ruled out.

Potential hazards include strong wind gusts, frequent lightning and small hail, according to a hazardous weather outlook that includes the Atlanta metro area.

Thunderstorms could occur through Friday, with the greatest risk seen late Wednesday night into Thursday evening, weather officials said.

That’s when damaging wind gusts, large hail and a brief, isolated tornado are possible, weather officials said.

Although the first half of the week is expected to be dry in Savannah, the coastal Georgia city will not escape showers, according to the forecast. Precipitation could arrive as early as Thursday.

High temperatures expected in the Savannah area will be in the 90s before dropping to the 80s on Friday.

High temperatures in the metro are expected to be in the mid to upper 80s before dropping to the low 70s on Friday. On Sunday, Mother’s Day, the metro is expected to be sunny with a high temperature of 75 degrees.

As of 9:25 a.m. Tuesday, the National Weather Service predicted the following detailed forecast for the Atlanta metro area:

Today: A 10 percent chance of showers after 4 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

This evening: 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Wednesday evening: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

THURSDAY: Showers and possibly thunderstorms. High near 85. Southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Thursday evening: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then risk of showers and thunderstorms between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m., then risk of showers after 5 a.m. Low around 64. 80 percent chance of precipitation.

Friday: Chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 8 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. The chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Friday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53.

SATURDAY: Sunny, with a high near 75.

Saturday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 78.

Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 80.