Severe Weather Threat Upgraded In GA Ahead Of Storms

Updated at 3:30 p.m.

Georgia could face large hail, wind speeds of up to 80 mph and frequent lightning with severe storms Wednesday afternoon and event, according to the National Weather Service's latest forecast update.

The NWS upgraded part of Georgia's chance for severe storms to a Level 3 enhanced risk, indicating a portion of southern metro Atlanta and areas west and northwest could see some dangerous hazards with the heavy rain.

The remainder of the metro and areas east were under a Level 2 slight risk for severe weather Wednesday.

Daily summer storms are expected to soak the Peach State, starting at about 4 p.m. Wednesday, NWS meteorologist Luke Culver told Patch early morning.

He noted the storms are not related to Tropical rainstorm Andrea, the first named tropical storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which has reportedly lost power.

Instead, the series of storms are linked to the hot and humid air and a midlevel trough transitioning from the Caribbean. Culver said the trough will be "adding a bit more punch to the storms that'll be occurring over the next few days."

The downpour may be slightly stronger than traditional summertime afternoon storms in Georgia, Culver said.

Wednesday's storms are expected to continue into the overnight hours. The storms could start between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., Culver said.

He noted the timing of the rain was unusual due to the weather pattern.

Damaging winds will be the primary hazard, as with all of the upcoming storms, Culver said.

The risk of tornadoes was low as of Wednesday, Culver said.

Additionally, temperatures continued to heat up in Georgia.

A heat advisory was in effect until 8 p.m. Wednesday for Bartow, Cherokee, Forsyth, Hall, Paulding, Cobb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Barrow, Clarke, DeKalb, Rockdale, Douglas, Oconee, Fayette, Clayton, Henry and several other counties.

Heat combined with humidity was expected to make it feel like 109 degrees in central, east central, north central, northeast, northwest, southeast and west central Georgia.

"Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses," the National Weather Service said in the advisory.

Recent temperatures are about 10 degrees above normal though not considered to be abnormal for this time of the year, Culver said.

The hottest temperatures lingered between Tuesday and Wednesday, and afterward, Culver said the days are expected to cool to about 5 degrees above normal.

"Any outdoor activity, use your heat safety precautions," he said. "With the storms, have a way to receive warnings."

Updates will be posted on the weather service's Twitter page, the weather service's Facebook page and its website.

Here is the National Weather Service's Wednesday afternoon detailed forecast for metro Atlanta:

This Afternoon: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5 p.m. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 103. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 5 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 100. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Thursday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 7 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Friday: A slight chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 11 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11 p.m., then a chance of showers between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Saturday: A slight chance of thunderstorms, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 11 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.

Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.

Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.

Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Monday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.