Blistering Heat, Storms To Hit GA After 2 Lightning Deaths

The temperature could feel hotter than 100 degrees Monday, which has triggered a heat advisory in portions of Georgia a day before thunderstorms could arrive in metro Atlanta, weather officials say.

The National Weather Service on Monday extended Sunday's advisory until 8 p.m. Monday for parts of central Georgia and expanded the affected area to include towns south and east of Interstate 85 until noon Monday, NWS meteorologist Carmen Hernandez told Patch.

While metro Atlanta is not currently under a heat advisory, Hernandez said heat index values could range from 101-102 degrees on Monday. The anticipated heat indices is not expected to clear the 105-degree threshold for an advisory.

The NWS predicted a high temperature of 95 degrees in the metro and surrounding areas.

The sweltering heat comes before storms arrive in metro Atlanta due to increased moisture caused by a tropical wave barreling over the Gulf of Mexico, Hernandez said.

She noted weather may not be severe, but the NWS forecast storms lasting through at least Sunday.

This comes days after two South Georgia men and former Ware County High football players were killed by a lightning strike last week, WANF and WAGA reported.

The lightning strike killed Randall Martin III, 18, and Joey Nelson, 19, on Thursday, WANF reported.

They were fishing at the time and were standing by a car near a lake, WAGA reported.

"Their dedication, sportsmanship and energetic spirits left an indelible mark on their teammates, coaches and the entire Waycross community," Waycross Mayor Dr. Michael-Angelo James said in a statement, per WAGA.

GoFundMe accounts have been established for Martin and Nelson.

Weather 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 detailed forecast for metro Atlanta on Monday morning:

Today: Sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 98. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 76. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 101. North wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. East wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 p.m., then a chance of showers between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Thursday: A slight chance of thunderstorms, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.

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

Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.

Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.

Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76.

Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.

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